Online Predators

Internet Safety for Kids

"15 percent [of children] said they had received unwanted sexual solicitations while online over the past year, and 33 percent had been harassed. 43 percent of sexual solicitations occurred via instant messaging, compared to 32 percent in chat rooms and 27 percent at social networking sites."

The Internet can be a dangerous place, especially for children. According to the U.S. Attorney General, about 1 in 5 children have received sexual solicitation online in chat rooms or through instant message. These solicitors are usually looking to chat and offer pornography, personal information, or themselves. Out of these children targeted by online predators, only 25% alerted a parent of this solicitation.

What can seem like harmless chatter online can turn into something far more serious. It is important to start a dialogue with your child about child Internet safety to make sure that they aren’t at risk online. Find out what your child is really doing online with computer surveillance products that record all activity on the computer.

What Are the Signs That Your Child is at Risk?

• He or she spends extended time online, especially at night.
• You find pornography on your child’s computer.
• Your child receives long distance calls from numbers that you don’t recognize.
• Your child receives mail, gifts, or packages from people you don’t know.
• Your child quickly turns the computer monitor off when you enter the room.
• Your child becomes withdrawn.

Take Action Against Online Predators

• Talk to your child to create a dialogue about safe online situations and teach them what to do if they are being solicited.
• Review what’s on a child’s computer using Keyloggers or the History button.
• Install Caller ID to monitor who is calling your child.
• Monitor your child’s Internet access.

What Constitutes an Online Crime?

The FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children urge parents to contact law enforcement if:

1. You or your child received child pornography.
2. Your child has been sexually solicited by someone who knows that your child is under 18 years of age.
3. Your child has received sexually explicit images from someone that knows your child is under the age of 18.

For more information about online crimes, please visit:

The FBI’s Internet Safety Website
http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm

Online Child Safety Resources

Important Resources
The FBI’s Online Safety Guide:http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm
The President’s Online Safety Guide: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/10/20021023.html
NetSmartz Internet Safety Helpdesk: http://www.netsmartz411.org/
Protectkids.com: http://www.protectkids.com/dangers/onlinepred.htm

Online Child Safety Statistics
Cyber Angels Children Online Statistics: http://www.cyberangels.org/parents/facts.html