Accessing the internet is now an integral part of our daily existence. It can be used for education research, for handling finances, and for staying informed of changing global events. Unfortunately, as a parent you know that there are internet predators lurking online and you need to decide how to best protect your children.
As uncomfortable as it may feel, it is important that you as a parent understand how internet predators find their way into your child’s life. Such a perception should make it a bit easier for you to prevent such a predator from finding your child. After all, your first priority is keeping your child safe from harm and you should be willing to do whatever is necessary to accomplish that goal.
An online predator may believe that finding a new child to claim as his or her victim is an acceptable and enjoyable challenge. This twisted perception by a predator is what makes it imperative that you protect your child from anyone online seeking to harm your child emotionally or physically.
It is your job as a parent to insure that your child is safe from all potential threats, including those on the internet.
Chose an age at which you feel it’s appropriate for your child to access the internet and guide them according to their maturity. If your child is young you should always go online with them and share what the internet has to offer while avoiding chat rooms. During your online time together with your child ask them what their favorite sties to visit are and why they like them. If your child is a bit older and more responsible, allow them to go online with less supervision. They should only be allowed online unsupervised AFTER you’ve told them about online predators and how to avoid them.
IF you can locate a safe and monitored chat room appropriate to their age, consider allowing them to go there but remain aware of what they’re talking about. Even monitored chat rooms can hold hidden dangers.
In order to gain the trust of your child, an online predator will usually pose as a child themselves. A predator will pretend to like the same music, books, and hobbies as your child. To gain further emotional control they will also appear to share the same concerns that trouble your child.
This familiarity gives the predator a portal into more personal issues and they may establish closer contact through email contact and/or private chats. These steps are all designed by the predator to eventually expose your child to sexual content. Sexual predators are experts at wearing down the defenses of children.
Don’t let your child become the victim of an online predator! Put any computer with internet access in an area of your home accessible to everyone. Stay in the same room with your child when they are online. Walk by that desk or workstation frequently and conspicuously and be aware of what is on that monitor!
A child should NEVER have a computer in their room that is away from the eyes of parents. With your constant presence or random walkthroughs, it becomes nearly impossible for your child to have a personal conversation without arousing suspicion.
Be straightforward with your child about online predator dangers and sexual victimization. That conversation is a very vital step in protecting your child. Insure that your child knows and understands the rules and guidelines you’ve established.
Explain to them that you’ve created those limits, not because you don’t trust them, but because you want them to be safe. Enforce those rules and limits and be willing to discipline your child if they disobey them.
Your child will probably be upset if you revoke or reduce their internet privileges. They’ll insist that they know right from wrong, they’ll accuse you of not trusting them, they may even storm off to their room and slam the door!
Though such events can be distressing for both of you, remember that their anger is far less dangerous than allowing them to stray into the hands of a very real evil.
