Internet Safety Facts
Did you know in a report regarding 10 to 17 year old's online activities done several years ago by the Justice Dept. that 1 in 5 indicated that they had been sexually solicited while on the Internet. Perhaps even more scary is that nearly half of the kids didn't tell anyone about it! Embarrassment and fear of having the computer taken away were just a couple of reasons indicated, which is clearly a trend that needs addressed.
Just as in the real world there are dangers on the World Wide Web. Chat rooms, social networks, even online games can all be areas where predators can be found. Some predators strike up online conversations with kids and quickly become sexually explicit, soliciting a child or sending inappropriate pictures. Most however, just as in the real world, try to build some type of relationship with the potential victim. The predator is there to listen, to be a sympathetic ear to a child who may be craving some attention. A "friendship" develops and then the predator tests the boundaries to see just how far he can push with the ultimate goal being to be able to control the child so that the child can be sexually exploited. This process can take hours, days, weeks, and even months, but the predator doesn't mind as part of the rush for these guys can be the manipulation, the power.
To protect kids, parents need to guarantee the lines of communication are open and working. That's not to say it is an easy task at times, but keep trying. It is probably best if you begin having conversations about boundaries and sexuality as early as possible so that you can build confidence in your kids early on, confidence that can literally save their lives.
The fact is absolute. We are literally communicating with the world as never before and that connectivity is only going to increase as our technology moves forward. It is quite impossible to constantly keep your children from the potential dangers all of this technology poses, so instead we must teach our children about the issues that exist and empower them to make good decisions.
Here's a link to our Internet Safety Program Tips to Help Keep Your Children Safe Online.
Child Education
