About Online Predators
The most serious danger for children online is the risk of becoming a victim of a sexual predator. Unsupervised children may find their way into chat rooms or forums, which are proven venues pedophiles use to lure victims.
The most important thing you can do
Communicate with your child: some children will put a stop to the relationship before it gets too dangerous. If your child has been approached by a predator, and even allowed some behaviors to go on that they knew were wrong, you want him to trust in you enough so that he/she can come to you and say "I made a mistake, and I'm frightened". It is important that we, as parents, make sure that our children understand that our love and care are not limited, and that they can come to us at any time, with any problem - and we will take care of them. No parent wants to hear that their child sent a nude picture of themselves to a stranger, or that they had Cybersex, but if we understand that they were victimized, we can help the child turn the situation around. Our children should not be blackmailed into doing further acts because they were afraid to tell us about what has already happened.
The second most important thing
Be informed: CyberAngels offers free classes on protecting your online child and recognizing predators, and we also recommend that you carefully shop for and install a parental control software program.
If you suspect your child has been approached online by a predator
Save any and all computer and/or phone communications, and report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.com. Contact your local police department if you suspect your child is in immediate danger.
The most important thing you can do
Communicate with your child: some children will put a stop to the relationship before it gets too dangerous. If your child has been approached by a predator, and even allowed some behaviors to go on that they knew were wrong, you want him to trust in you enough so that he/she can come to you and say "I made a mistake, and I'm frightened". It is important that we, as parents, make sure that our children understand that our love and care are not limited, and that they can come to us at any time, with any problem - and we will take care of them. No parent wants to hear that their child sent a nude picture of themselves to a stranger, or that they had Cybersex, but if we understand that they were victimized, we can help the child turn the situation around. Our children should not be blackmailed into doing further acts because they were afraid to tell us about what has already happened.
The second most important thing
Be informed: CyberAngels offers free classes on protecting your online child and recognizing predators, and we also recommend that you carefully shop for and install a parental control software program.
If you suspect your child has been approached online by a predator
Save any and all computer and/or phone communications, and report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.com. Contact your local police department if you suspect your child is in immediate danger.
