Protect your Children from Internet Predators
by Tammy Freund, YSB Prevention Specialist

According to the San Diego County Attorney Internet crime is the fastest growing crime in the U.S. The victims of these crimes are children. With over 45 million children on the World Wide Web it makes it easier than ever for predators to solicit kids. Statistics have shown that 60% of teens have received instant messages from strangers and over half responded back. We as parents may have a false sense of safety because kids are at home while using the Internet. The reality is that children do not always know with whom they are talking to and inviting into your home via the Internet. We teach our kids stop drop and roll, never talk to strangers and look both ways before crossing the street. We need to add to our children's list of skills "How to Safely Surf the Internet".

Chat rooms appear to be safe and sound for kids to enter. However, they are the most dangerous areas for children/teens to enter unarmed with the skills on how to stay safe. The reason for this is due to a new breed of predator the "cyber- molester". Cyber-molesters pose as children and teenagers to engage kids in conversations. Once they gain there trust as a cyber-friend they then try to get personal information such as e-mail address, home address and pictures.

Here are some red flags to help parents identify if their kid could be mixed up with a predator on the Internet.

  • Excessive use of the internet especially at night
  • Unsupervised time in chat rooms.
  • Downloaded pictures if children you do not know or pornography.
  • Phone calls or letters from strangers.
  • Using an on-line account that belongs to someone else.
  • Being secretive about their on-line activities.
  • Quickly turns off the monitor or changes sites when others enter the room.

The Internet is a wonderful tool for parents and children alike. However there are currently no rules that govern it. We as parents must teach safe surfing to our kids in order to protect them from the dangers out there in cyber-space. Now, what can parents do to empower kids and feel good about them being on-line? Here are some helpful hints for parents to use in order to empower their children.

Parent Tips

One of the first things you can do is become more computer literate. According to recent survey 62% of kids say that parents know little to nothing about the web sites they visit.

  • Keep the computer in a public area of the house
  • Check out parent controls available on your on-line service
  • Block adult chat rooms
  • Block instant messaging from people you do not know
  • Install filtering/blocking software
  • Use a "clean" internet provider that filters at the sever level
  • Know who's on your child's buddy list

If you do not know how to install or use some of the above safety measures call your Internet service and ask for assistance.

How Kids can Safely Surf the Net

  • Do not let kids/teens have on-line profiles (this way they won't be listed in directories and lessons their chance of being solicited on-line)
  • Never let kids/teens go into private chat rooms
  • Tell kids/teens never to give out personal information on-line such as address, school, teacher, parents work etc.
  • Never have kids tell anyone on-line where they will be or what they are doing
  • Tell kids never set up to meet someone you "met" on the internet (they may not be who they say they are)
  • Do not respond to offensive e-mail, on-line postings or instant messages
  • Tell kids to let you know right away if they are approached

Parents and children can come up with house rules for using the Internet and post them by the computer. Parents can also report incidents if their child/teen is solicited on-line by going to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com/cybertip. It is imperative to report incidents as they happen to help keep the web safe for our kids. As parents we would not let a stranger proposition our child/teen at the park or mall and not go to the authorities, therefore need to do the same on the Internet. The best way to empower your children and keep them street and cyber-smart is to talk with children about these dangers they do listen.

For further information or to make a referral, contact McHenry County Youth Service Bureau 1-815-338-7360

Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 8:30 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm