10/08/2026
Scouting America issued a safeguarding advisory, dated October 6, 2026, about how offenders can misuse publicly available social media content featuring young people to identify and contact them online.
The advisory is meant to raise awareness, not alarm, and it is not meant to discourage anyone from sharing Scouting experiences. It offers practical steps for units, councils, camps, and social media administrators, such as limiting identifying details in posts and knowing how to report concerns. It also offers guidance for parents and Scouts, plus clear steps and trusted resources if a young person has been targeted.
Every Scout leader, volunteer, and parent should read the full advisory from Scouting America's Safeguarding Youth office. The link is in the comment section.
