By Nikki Phipps
Computer access is everywhere, making continual monitoring very difficult. Predators have the ability to tap into not only instant messaging services such as myspace.com, blogs, and chat rooms, but also through games such as Xbox Live, which allows people to communicate with others while playing. According to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, it’s estimated that 30 million children in the United States are accessing the internet, and that one in five of these children has received an unwanted sexual solicitation at some point while online. As a mother, I find these numbers to be quite alarming. So what should parents do to protect their children?
First, parents need to educate themselves; most parents know far less about the internet than their children. Many families remain in the dark about how their kids use the Net. Parents need to become involved with what their children are doing. Kids spend hours chatting online with their friends; while some of them also wind up talking to people they don’t even know. Know who your kids are talking to. Supervising children while they are online is just as important. Many children are talking to strangers on a regular basis, right under their parents’ noses and in their home. Constant supervision will limit the chances of this happening. In fact, I will not allow my children to surf the Web outside of schoolwork, of which I am a continual presence.
The vulnerable are the easiest targets. Most child predators look for a child that needs attention. Kids that often look for attention do so because they feel unwanted or unloved at home. Talking with your kids on a regular basis and being a constant figure in their life lessens the chances of these feelings. Also, limiting the time spent online may be helpful as well. Establish rules for using the Internet and make your children abide by them; otherwise, take away these privileges. Remember that you are the parent, not the child. Go over the importance of not talking with strangers. As far as I’m concerned, most everyone online is a stranger. You never really know who you’re talking to; they could be posing as anyone, even your friend. Also, talk to your children about keeping all personal information to themselves. Do not give out phone numbers, addresses, full names, Social Security numbers, or passwords to anyone, including ‘friends.’
Establishing rules, keeping the computer in a place where parents can monitor use, and reinforcing the dangers of communicating with strangers or sharing personal information is probably the best thing a parent can do in order to protect children against the threat of online predators. Hopefully, this will be enough.