http://www.wisetosafety.com/online/online-predators.html Online predators are out there in cyberspace, waiting for kids to fall prey to them. Learn how to keep your child from becoming a victim of online predators. en-us Fri, 06 Jan 2006 15:07:25 EST Fri, 06 Jan 2006 15:07:25 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 Most of the time, you don't think of the Internet as an unsafe place for your kids to be. Sure, there are sites you don't want them to visit, but most online predators are lurking in sites where they know kids like to congregate. On this page we'll discuss steps you can take to educate your kids about how to avoid Internet predators. Risk Factors If your child engages in any of the following (seemingly innocent) activities online, he or she could accidentally engage in a conversation with an Internet predator: Email Chat rooms Instant messaging The most common age group to become victimized are kids in their early teens. Many of them use online peer support groups to talk about their problems because it feels more anonymous. However, to online predators they appear vulnerable. So the online predators shower these kids with attention, affection and sometimes even gifts in an effort to build a relationship. It takes awhile, but they are patient. Eventually they want to meet your child in person, and my times the child agrees to it, only to be victims of molestation by online predators. It's nearly impossible to keep kids of this age out of chat rooms and instant messaging, but you can let them know you are going to monitor where they've been online. But that doesn't stop them from doing these things on other computers. Most of the time, you can keep your kids safe online by giving them this online safety advice: Tell them never to reveal personal information about themselves, especially their name, where they live and where they go to school. Explain that you aren't trying to be mean, but there are some people out there with sick minds who might pretend to want to be their friend, but in all reality are just online predators. Tell them the best place for them to engage in chats is in monitored online chat rooms. Get them involved by telling them not to download anything from someone or someplace they aren't familiar with, telling an adult anytime anything happens online that makes them uncomfortable and choosing screen names that don't reveal their gender. (If kids feel involved, they will feel empowered to take care of themselves.) Of course, as a parent you want to monitor where your child has been. Do it to ensure things are a-okay. Fri, 06 Jan 2006 15:07:25 EST