Mike Waltz, Tim Tebow launch effort to combat online child exploitation: 'It's happening in their backyard'

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz and former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow on Thursday unveiled a renewed international effort to combat online child exploitation, bringing together government officials, law enforcement leaders and anti-human trafficking advocates like Tebow's foundation to strengthen cooperation against predators operating across borders.

Following the event, Waltz and Tebow answered questions exclusively from Fox News Digital, with Tebow warning parents that the threat isn't confined to distant countries or dark corners of the internet."It's happening in their backyard," Tebow told Fox News Digital when asked what would shock American parents most about child exploitation today.NEW MEXICO SEEKS MASSIVE PENALTY FROM META AFTER JURY FOUND TECH GIANT LIABLE FOR ENDANGERING CHILDRENThe event put a spotlight on how the U.

S. is teaming up with countries around the world to rescue exploited children, crack down on human trafficking networks and prosecute child predators. Officials also pointed to recent international operations, new funding from Congress and a U.

S.-led U.N.

resolution targeting online sextortion."The United States is leading the charge to combat child exploitation in partnership with civil society groups like the Tim Tebow Foundation," Waltz said during the event. "Child exploitation criminals operate across borders, so a global response is critical.

We need to work together to protect our children from predators."Tebow said the danger facing children online is something parents should think about every day."If it's unprotected, it's similar to dropping them off at a playground knowing that pedophiles are circling that playground," he told Fox News Digital.

"You would never do it."FAMILY STOPPED ALLEGED CHILD KIDNAPPER AS POLICE SAY STAFFING SHORTAGE DELAYED RESPONSE UP TO 40 MINUTESHe urged parents to take advantage of online safety tools and remain engaged with their children's digital activity, saying predators ar