Online Predators
A parent's worst nightmare.
Online predators are perhaps one of the biggest fears of a good parent. Some parent's are afraid, but don't know what to do, and other's know so many terrible stories they simply get frightened and completely turned off of the idea of the internet.
It doesn't have to be either of these things. With a little information, you can keep you and your loved ones safe.
Online predating is a big deal, and is still growing. More kids everyday are being approched by predators online. Parents can keep their kids safe by becoming more aware of the risks of the internet and oniline communications. Parents should be more involved in what their kids are doing.
People Susceptible
The people most susceptible to online predators are the people who are new to online activities, rebellious people, and poeple who are curious.
"Predators establish contact with kids through coversations in chat rooms, instant messaging, E-mail, or discussion boards. Many teens use peer support online forums to deal with their problems. Predators often go to these online areas to look for vulnerable victims."
So what happens?
Statistics say that one in five kids in chat rooms are targeted by predators. 75% of kids will share their's and family's personal information online.
77% of targets of predators are 14 or older. And another 22% are 10-13.
One in Four teen girls and boys report to have met people on the internet. Now kids are dying to predators and now not all exploration is offline.
Predators use any information they can to start the predatory process.
Crisis Connections says that most online predators are males between 13 and 65. Many are mariied and can be classifeid into four groups.
- -Collectors-Predators who start at pornography and lead toward chat rooms.
- -Travelers-The most dangerous, They will do whatever they can to meet the person they're talking to.
- -Manufacturers-They distribute pornography and are mostly in it for money.
- -Chatters-They talk to children in chat rooms, but never graduate to meeting offline.
What to do
Many people are not aware of the danger of the internet. But even Myspace is a dwelling place for predators. Using education and technology, parents can help mitigate the chances of their own child being a victim. Popular sites such as MySpace and Facebook, where youth often share personal information with friends, provide ways of reporting abuse. (en.wikipedia.org)
Make sure your children know not to talk to anyone who approaches them. If they ever feel unsafe, they need to leave. Ensure that you never give out any personal information. Only talk to people you can trust.