Parents and guardians cannot receive reminders often enough about the urgent need to prepare kids for staying safe online. Local residents got an alarming one this week with news that Steven James Boose, 35, of Littlestown, Pa., had been arrested after allegedly traveling to Parkersburg to meet with a person he believed to have been a 14-year-old girl, with whom he’d been corresponding online.

Parkersburg Police met up with him, instead, and Boose has been charged with one count of soliciting a minor and six counts of use of obscene matter with intent to seduce a minor.

And the 14-year-old girl? Well, it turns out Boose had actually been exchanging messages with a Parkersburg Police detective.

Given the nature of the investigation that resulted in Boose’s arrest, it is understandable the police department did not name the social media platform he is alleged to have been using.

But it doesn’t matter. Young people (all people, really) are vulnerable to predators on any platform.

And yes, in this case, police say Boose was told he was interacting with a juvenile, acknowledged that fact, and continued with his “sexually driven” attempt to eventually engage in sexual activities with the purported juvenile.

It’s not a comfortable conversation, but parents and guardians MUST have frank conversations with their children about the risks they face online. Parental controls and privacy settings are a must, as are regular check-ins on your children’s activity. Games, apps and social media sites should receive parental approval.

Make sure children know they should come to you if anyone begins behaving in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. (And while it is sensible to suggest that kids communicate online only with people they know, parents must remember it is possible the person making them feel uncomfortable may be someone they DO know — even a trusted adult like a teacher, coach, pastor or relative.)

Remind them not to share personal information, photos and videos online in public forums or with people they do not know.

And if your child does come to you to report activity or communication that makes them uncomfortable, do not hesitate to report suspected online enticement or exploitation. Call 911, contact tips.fbi.gov or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children report.cybertip.org.

This time, the alleged criminal was caught, and no children were actually involved in the investigation that led to his arrest. We are fortunate to have such dedicated (and effective) detectives working here in local law enforcement.

Talk to your kids now. Do all you can to keep them safe, and work toward a world where there is not a next time.