Good evening and thanks for joining us, I'm Betsy Gessell.Authorities are speaking out about the importance of safety while on chat - lines...This after a Newport man is charged for a sexual assault that happened back in 2008.Fox Mankato's Carly Aplin reports...Area media specialists say online predators are far more common than parents, teens and other avid internet users would like to think...Steve Johnson says, "It's a huge issue..."And last week's arrest shows us southern Minnesota is no exception.Chief Deputy Sheriff Tom Doherty says, "This is a common thing that's going on, there are people out there who are pedophiles."34 year old Jeffrey Sellner of Newport was arrested last Thursday and is charged with third degree criminal sexual conduct.Authorities say the charges came after Sellner met a 13 year old girl from Waterville online and chatted for several months.Sellner then went to the girl's home and coaxed her outside and assaulted her in his car.Steve Johnson says, "The predator gains the confidence of the student and then pretty soon they just give that out."Ever-evolving technology is making it easier for predators to access information online... which means people need to be very careful about what they disclose on the internet.Tom Doherty says, "You don't know who you're talking with on the internet, never give any information as far as your name, your family's address, your address or any personal information."Media Tech Coordinator Steve Johnson says there is nothing that can replace the importance of parent involvement...And there are several steps parents can take to encourage internet safety in the home...Steve Johnson says, "Subtle things, I think at 13 maybe the computer should be in the living room not in the child's bedroom."Tom Doherty says, "Keep an eye on the websites they're accessing and who they're talking to."Sellner is currently detained in the Le Sueur County Jail...If sentenced Sellner could face up to 15 years in prison or a thirty - thousand dollar fine.Carly Aplin, the Fox Mankato News at Nine.