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Tennessee is cracking down on sexual predators.
The state's Sexual Offender Registry [2] is getting tougher.
Child advocates say it could make your kids safer...
Tennessee District 31 Rep. Jim Cobb says, "You look at the playgrounds most of them are empty. Kids spend so much time in their bedroom, now, on their computer."
Officials say the computer is where many sexual predators find their victims.
Now lawmakers and Tennessee Bureau of Investigations are making that tougher.
Starting July 1st Tennessee sex offenders are required to register email addresses, and other internet user names with the Tennessee Sexual Offender Registry.
Exchange Club Child Advocate Dennis Norwood says, "I think kids they get an idea of a fantasy world where they can play as adults and they don't realize the dangers that are there."
But that's just one of the changes... Sex offenders must also provide a DNA sample and report all aliases to authorities.
Shelley McGraw with the Children's Advocacy Center of Hamilton County says, "Anytime we're getting tougher on sex offenders and perpetrators that's a good thing."
McGraw applauds the tougher restrictions, but she reminds parents the Sex Offender Registry doesn't replace responsible parenting.
McGraw says most children are abused by someone they know, and she says 5 of 6 cases aren't reported.
Lawmakers say that's why these changes to the Registry are so important.
McGraw agrees, "We need to make sure that those people are not able to commit those crimes over and over again."
The TBI is also creating a system where you can register to be notified if a sex offender moves into your neighborhood.
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