U.S. Ambassador and Tim Tebow Announce New International Push Against Online Child Exploitation

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz and former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow unveiled a renewed international effort to combat online child exploitation on Thursday through a collaboration involving the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, the Tim Tebow Foundation and international law enforcement partners.

The gathering of government officials, law enforcement leaders and anti-human trafficking advocates aimed to strengthen cross-border efforts via expanded cooperation, technology and coordinated investigations. Fox News reported that the event highlighted U.S. efforts to team up with countries around the world to rescue exploited children, crack down on human trafficking networks and prosecute child predators.

Waltz said during the event that the United States is leading the charge to combat child exploitation in partnership with civil society groups like the Tim Tebow Foundation. Tim Tebow stated that child exploitation criminals operate across borders, so a global response is critical. Following the event, Waltz and Tebow answered questions exclusively from Fox News Digital.

Tebow told Fox News Digital that the threat is happening in parents' backyards and that if online spaces are unprotected, it is similar to dropping children off at a playground knowing that pedophiles are circling that playground. Waltz told Fox News Digital that he does not know of countries refusing to cooperate but that many nations lack laws making these acts crimes and lack extradition treaties.

He stated that U.S. agencies and United Nations partners are working to help countries strengthen legal tools and investigative resources through training and international cooperation.