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Avoid Online Predators and Cyberstalking

Article Summary: Beware of online predators and cyberstalking. This is becoming a big problem in society today with our children who have access to a computer with Internet. These are the steps to avoid online predators and cyberstalking.

It is estimated that nearly seventy million U.S. households or 57 percent of American homes have a Web-connected computer. A majority of time, the use of computer with Internet seem to be used for research, emailing, banking transactions, playing games and so forth. The one most problem that we are having in today’s society is online predators and/or cyberstalking. Staying safe online has become key with the recent explosive popularity of social networking websites. These websites like myspace.com, yahoo chat and other online chats has provided predator’s new ways to contact our young children. The Internet makes it easier for sexual predators to act out, such as striking up “friendship” with children in chat rooms and convincing them to meet them in real life. This can have devastating consequences, as it did for a 13 year old girl from Connecticut who was strangled to death in 2002 by a 25 year old man she met in an online chat room, who allegedly confessed to the crime. Although he maintains that the strangling was accidental, the man was sentenced in late 2003 to a total of 40 years in prison for state and federal charges relating to the incident.

There are many websites, books and monitoring software out there that can be purchased that can give us education on how to avoid dangerous situations while using the Internet. Websites that mention online predators and/or cyberstalkers can give good tips on avoidance. Computer monitoring software is a good thing; it is specifically for the purpose of recording key strokes or other wise monitoring someone’s computer activity. These programs are typically marketed towards parents who can check on their children’s online activities. We have parents that know little about the computer and Internet. Our children now a days are being taught the computer and Internet at a young age, starting as early as kindergarten and up to high school. When speaking about online predators and/or cyberstalking, the age limit to warn our children should start earlier than middle school. Parents should be willing to discuss the risks of Internet use with their child, know enough to understand the risks, and be proactive in guiding children’s Internet use. But the most important Internet safety measure is still good parenting. It is stated that a poll taken in 2005 shows that teens approach the Internet quite differently. Teen’s ages 13 – 18 are the most frequent risk takers, while teens 8 – 12 are much cautious and likely to have discussed Internet danger with their parents. There is no dependable way to protect against online danger completely. Some common sense precautions can reduce the chance of becoming involved in serious personal safety problems due to online activities.

It is wise to be cautious and discreet in chat rooms, discussion groups, and other online locations where individuals communicate with strangers. To protect against online predators and cyberstalkers use gender-neutral, non-provocative identifying names, such as steveg, instead of stevengauna, iamcute, or iamahottie. Do not reveal personal information such as your real name, address, or telephone number to people you meet in a chat room. Although they may feel like new friends, they are strangers and you have no idea who they really are or what they are like in real life. In addition, do not respond to any insults or other harassing comments you may receive online. You may also wish to request that your personal information be removed from online directories especially those associated with your email address or other online identifier. Most experts agree that the best way to protect your children from online danger is to stay in close touch with them as they explore the Internet. To be able to check up on their online activities quickly, it is a good idea to have children use a PC in a family room or other public location, instead in their bedroom, and they should be told which activities are allowed, which web sites are off-limits, and why. In addition, they should be instructed to tell a parent, teacher or authorities if an individual ever request personal information or a personal meeting via an email message, a chat room, an instant message, or other communication medium.

Talk to your children about the risks of the Internet, and let them know that you’re going to monitor their Internet use for their own safety. You need to make sure your children understand both the benefits and the risks that come with the Internet. So remember the perpetrators use the anonymity of the Internet to masquerade as another child or a trustworthy person, try to gain children’s trust by paying attention to them and finding out what they like to do so they can claim the same interests, tell kids to keep the friendship a secret, and even threaten them if they don’t, slowly introduce sexual content, send pictures, and ask the child to do the same in return and finally try to arrange to meet them in person. So parents, make it an effort to get involved in your children business when it comes to the Internet and explain why to your child.

Article Source: http://www.upublish.info

About the Author:
Steven C. Gauna