In 2007, the website MySpace.com generated a list of more than 29,000 sex offenders who had profiles on some of the more popular social networking sites. With so many sexual predators on the internet, children are constantly at risk to falling prey to one. The Crime against Children Research Center also released online child sex abuse statistics which stated that 1 in every 7 child in the United States is threatened by a sex predator online.
With increasing laws being enforced in the physical world with respect to child sex offenders; these individuals have begun to take their activities online to trap children. This is referred to as online grooming legally. With the cyber world allowing individuals to remain anonymous, children's trust can be gained easily and intimacy may be developed.
Understanding Predators Online:
It is the responsibility of the parent to teach their children about such people who are found online. They should also be informed of their behaviors.
- Predators online spend a great deal of time on the internet and explore a number of options where they can come into contact with children
- Try gaining the trust of children by chatting and sending presents
- Show an interest in the hobbies and interests of the child
- They lend an ear to teens and manipulate them in this manner
- As children began to trust the predator, their inhibitions lower giving the predator the perfect opportunity to trap the child
- If a bond is formed between the two, chances of meeting up in person are likely
Parental Checks:
Parents should keep a check on the activities their child indulges in online. When using the internet, a child is exposed to a variety of people and culture. While it is not possible to filter everyone, the risk of becoming a victim to an online sex predator can be reduced by following some of the guidelines set forth by the FBI.
- Keep an eye open and be aware of your surroundings. If there is any registered sex offender in your area, let your local police know
- Keep communication lines with your children open and inform them of this danger
- Install monitoring software's on the cellphone & computer to keep a track on your children's activities
- Make sure your child does not make use of social networking sites where he/she does not meet up to the age limit
- Direct children to chat rooms which are regulated and monitored
- Don't keep a computer in your child's bedroom. Keep it in a common area of the house
- Talk to your child's school to know how they keep a check on the computer activities of children in school
- Be aware of the content your child uploads and downloads onto the computer
By placing every possible way to monitor your child, if he/she still comes into contact with any predator online, never blame your child. It is not the child who is to blame; rather the full responsibility lies with the sexual predator.
Your Child has become a target:
if this were to occur, the following steps should be taken:
- Get in touch with your local police. Give them details of everything that took place
- Search the computer and smartphone / tablet etc. to gather any communication which may have taken place with the sexual predator
- Increase monitoring of your child, both online and physically as chances are that the predator would want to meet him
During their teenage years, children tend to look for friends and anyone who may understand them, apart from their family. This is because they tend to feel misunderstood by their parents and this cases them to disclose personal information to strangers. Parental guidance and protection is extremely important in such aspects. Parents should monitor every step their child makes and keep communication lines open to ensure they approach them only.
Shared by theonespy.com.
