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Internet Safety and Cyber Awareness for Children |
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Friday, 04 January 2008 |
Article provided by Patrolman Bradford K. LaMarca
Marblehead Police Department
Online predators are chatting with our children day after day throughout the state of Ohio. Parents need to know the different techniques on how to protect their children and to be aware of the risks because your child may possibly become a victim of a cyber predator.
Parents first need to become involved in their child's daily routine on the internet by communicating with them and explaining the potential hazards of online chatting. Computer usage should have a limit on how many hours a day that your child can be on the internet. Too much time on the computer can lead to revealing personal information such as your name, home address, school name, telephone numbers, or photos. Never trade personal information or photos with anyone that you personally do not know. The reason for this is because you do not know the person whom you are giving this information to. The individual may be acting like a 12 year old girl, but is really a 40-year-old man. It has been proven over and over by many state law enforcement agencies that there are many adult online predators in children chat rooms acting like they are a child. Explain to your children why it is important to report unwanted or suspicious behavior to you or law enforcement. Make sure that your child understands that reporting deviant activity on the computer will not lead them to computer restrictions. If you punish a child for reporting suspicious online activity, they may never tell you again if they were to receive unwanted or unusual information. Protect your children.
Parents, if you are not literate in computers, we highly suggest that you take a basic computer course or even have your children educate you with computers and the internet. Becoming knowledgeable with computers will help you identify if your child is trying to hide information or if they are receiving threatening messages/email. Once you become familiar with the basics of computers and the internet, it is now time for you to start browsing at ways to block different software so that your children do not have access to adult-oriented sites. There are thousands of free software to block or filter content. For example, if you do not want your child to enter private chat rooms, block them with safety features provided by your Internet service provider. Do not rely only on software to filter content. The software is helpful, but it is also very important for parents to be proactive in preventing suspicious or inappropriate online activities taking place with their children. I recommend that the computer be in a room where everyone can see it and also share an email account with your children so you can check the messages that they receive. Communicate with your children and explain why it is important for you to check their emails.
There are multiple risks that deal with the internet and children. Children may be exposed to inappropriate material that is violent or sexual and may encourage activities that are dangerous or illegal. A child may encounter e-mail, or chat messages that are harassing, humiliating, or belligerent. These risks could affect a child's self esteem and may also become life threatening.
MySpace.com is a popular online website used for social networking mainly among teenagers and young adults. The website is a way of communication, but should not list personal information. Parents, many teenagers are listing personal information in their profiles on MySpace. No one should be using private information on their MySpace profile such as full names, age, school locations, email addresses, and home addresses. If your children list personal information on their MySpace profiles, they are targeting themselves and giving online predators the information that they want or need. Privacy is very important. MySpace prohibits children under the age of 14 from using the website.
Predators focus mainly on children between the ages of 13-17.
Predators are looking for kids who:
-Spend a lot of time alone
-Who are sad or hurting
-Won't tell anyone
-Whose parents are too busy or separated
-Are from troubled backgrounds
-Are young and vulnerable
-Are angry with their parents
-Are Rebellious
-Are Adventurous
-Are Bored
Warning signs that your child may be a victim:
-If your child is spending long hours online, especially at night.
-If phone calls from people that you don't know are calling the house.
-Unsolicited gifts arriving in the mail.
-Child suddenly turns off the computer when you walk into the room or the door is
locked.
-Withdrawal from family or friends.
-Unwillingness to discuss online activities.
Make sure that your children are aware that they should never meet with anyone in person who they may have met in a chat room or online. Contact your local police department immediately if an adult tries to set up a meeting with your child.
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