Online Risks – Internet Predators
Protecting Children from Internet Predators
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, one out of seven children will receive some level of solicitation with sexual intent online. It's important to know that these contacts can include strangers as well as peers. Taking this into consideration, today's parents have an ever increasing task of policing their children online to ensure their child remain safe even in a difficult situation. It is unlikely that your child will be approached outside of the Internet from an online connection, but even a small level of risk should warrant action.
Teach Children to Be Safe Online
The first and most important step in keeping kids safe online is to educate them of the risks. Even younger children are taught computer functionality and use, and as such, can come in contact with strangers. To ensure children remain safe online, parents should do the following:
- Kids need to know they should never engage in conversations with strangers online. This includes through text, email, or chat.
- Kids need to know that it is never okay to agree to meet with someone they've met online in person.
- It is also never okay to send photos or videos of themselves.
- Children also need to be taught never to share their personal information including their name, their school, their city, or even their teacher's name as this information can be used to track the child down.
- Kids should never talk about sex or any type of inappropriate conversation with strangers over the Internet. Studies indicate this increases the risk that the child will be approached offline.
Even more importantly, parents should know what kids are doing online as well as how to protect them. If you find that your child has had such encounters, while it is important to teach discipline in these instances it is also important to notify the authorities. It is possible to do this through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children online. This can help to protect other children as well.
With more Internet access comes higher risk levels. Parents can and should be front and center whenever kids are online. And, they should spend the time talking to their son or daughter about the risks they face from strangers. You taught your children strangers in person are dangerous. Those online are even more dangerous. Be sure to communicate this with your child.