The Problem:
Kids are – by nature – very trusting and naive. This makes them particularly vulnerable online.
Despite the dangers, more and more children are using the internet at a younger age. Nearly 40% of 8-11 year olds are hopping online regularly. And many are doing it behind closed bedroom doors.
It’s a very serious problem, one we cannot expect law enforcement and the school systems to fully address. Parents must take be proactive and responsibility for ensuring their children’s safety online.
The Solution:
Move the computer to a public place in the house, such as a living room or a dining room. Children need to be supervised when online.
Share with your child what you already know:
- The world isn’t always what it seems to be, especially online.
- There are strangers online who are very dangerous.
- The internet is a giant, anonymous meeting place. Suspicion and vigilance are critical to everyone’s safety.
- One should never share personal details, e.g. address, name, phone number, etc, let alone develop a relationship with a complete stranger.
Explain how predators typically operate. Most will find the victim in a chat room. The offender will initiate contact and gain the child’s trust by fabricating points of interest and feigning empathy. The predator’s objective is to:
- determine who is the most vulnerable,
- start a dialog and as quickly as possible, and
- move the conversation to regular e-mails, text messaging, private chats and ultimately in-person meetings.
Below are some useful tips for parents (courtesy of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Center):
- Know what your children are doing online
- Get them to show you how to do things
- Help them understand not to give any personal information to online friends
- Teach them to ignore spam
- Teach them to ignore files sent by people they don't know
- Teach them some people lie online
- Tell them to keep online friends online
- Keep talking so they know they can always tell you if something makes them feel uncomfortable
- Show children how to block people online and how to report them
Be safe. Take precautions. And let me know if I can help with anything.
