Keep Your Child Safe from Internet Predators
This generation of children is getting proficient at internet and computer use from a very young age. Kids begin to get on Facebook and Twitter at increasingly younger ages, and most kids know how to use the internet a lot more efficiently than their parents do. While this opens up a bright world of possibility for kids, it also leaves them vulnerable to previously unknown dangers. The advent of the internet, adds an entirely new dimension to pedophilia and sexual molestation. When your kids go online, they risk being victims of sexual predators.
The fast and easy sharing and transfer of information that accompanies the internet also makes it easier for sexual predators to conference and share information about their tactics. Breaking into pedophilia has never been easier, because the internet allows people with vulgar interests like this to find each other and design new, better ways of corrupting and preying on children. Historically, child molestation and kidnapping is a risk on the playground or in the schoolyard. Now, the internet is another place where kids can become victims of such crime. Some might argue that internet predators are even more dangerous than molesters and pedophiles in the real world, because kids can engage with these internet predators without even seeing their faces or knowing their names.
Children need to be more wary than ever when releasing information online, whether it is on instant messenger systems, in chat rooms or on social networking websites. Almost 13 million kids use instant messaging online, and around 25% of kids who are online use chat rooms. It is very easy to be approached by strangers in chat rooms and on networking sites like Facebook, and easier still for kids to gain the false impression that those who they are friends with or speaking to are safe and appropriate online buddies. What they don’t know is that their “friend” may be employing a false name, picture, address or age, and the predator to whom they are speaking may be fabricating interests and activities to lure children into comfort. Blinded by this false friendship, kids are tempted to give out their names, email addresses and other valuable personal information with which they can be victimized by sexual deviants. In the wrong hands, personal information can lead to disaster for your child or your family.
There are ways to make kids safer. First of all, be sure to teach your child never to reveal personal information to strangers online, and never to meet up with strangers met on the internet in person. Additionally, monitor your child’s email to make sure that you know all the people they are exchanging emails with. Monitor your child’s chat history to make sure that they are not having inappropriate conversations with strangers. With your guidance and supervision, your child will not fall prey to pedophilia and internet crime. Arm your child with knowledge about the dangers and risks of using the internet and arm them with your experience and protection.
Jacob Andersen received a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Brigham Young University and an MBA from Utah State University. He is committed to using his knowledge and expertise to keeping kids safe online.”The safety of our children is the mission of KidsEmail.org and MyKidsBrowser.com,” Andersen said.”Any profits made are reinvested into the development and advertising of new child safety products.”
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