Do you know who your kids are online? Who are they talking to? What they have posted about themselves? As parents we need to make sure that we are keeping our children safe on the internet. Children are more trusting and more open while on the internet primarily due to the feeling of being anonymous. However, being anonymous isn’t always what it seems. Predators are clever and are very adept at getting bits and pieces of information that can lead them to the identity of your child.
Teenagers who spend time in Internet chat rooms may think sharing little facts about themselves is all part of the getting-to-know-you process in the online world. But by divulging what seems to be innocent information to a new “friend,” teens may be setting themselves up to become victims of an Internet child predator.
According to a recent national study by the Crimes Against Children Research Center, one in seven youths who regularly use the Internet say they have received unwanted sexual solicitations and approaches via the Web. With more awareness this ratio is much better than five years ago (one in five), but we can’t rest until it is zero!!
One recent case revealed that a teen was approached at her high school after talking to a random stranger on chat. In looking at the log files of the chat, she never gave specific information, but in answering seeming harmless questions, like her schools colors and mascot she was giving enough information for the predator to start locating her.
We need to educate our children in what to look for and what to say and not say. We also need to make sure their online activities are monitored. Here are a few ideas to consider in proactively protecting your children:
Location: Never put a computer in your kid’s bedroom. It is best to keep it in a common room where you can be a part of what is happening online.
No Online Profiles: Make it clear to your children that they are not to post personal information or photos of themselves on any site or chat board.
Purchase Filters and Monitoring Software: The software will allow you to monitor online activity without standing over their shoulders. Filters will block the sites you don’t want your kids to access. (See previous post for a recommendation for software).
Never Stop Being a Parent: You can’t just get a computer and think that your kid is too smart or too good to be solicited by an online predator. Parents have to get involved. If you’ve allowed your child to have a profile — then know what’s on it and remove any information that can even remotely identify your child. Maintain an open dialogue with your child about their online usage. Be aware of exactly what they are doing and who they are in contact with over the Internet.
The internet is here to stay, so let’s educate our children how to use it safely. Just like our parents told us not to talk to strangers, we must tell our kids the same thing, just with a technology twist to it!
Blogging for the Kingdom,
Mike Sharpe