Security Centre
Guarding Your Child against Online Sex Predators
Computer and the internet open a whole new dimension of play and education for children.
Guarding Your Child against Online Sex Predators
Computer and the internet open a whole new dimension of play and education for children. However, these two can also impact different aspects in their life. No matter how useful these may seem, they can bring various problems and threat to children. Today, the most common problem affecting the web is sexual exploitation.
Sex predators often find ways to get to children. They use affection, kindness, and even gifts to gain a kid’s attention. They are willing to devote their time, money, and even their energy to gradually introduce sexual content in conversations.
If you’re one of those concerned parents, you might want to learn some strategies on how to spot predators over the web. You can also learn some tips to gain parental control over what’s happening to your kids and their computers.
Knowing the Signs
These signs may indicate that your children are at risk for sexual offense:
• A child spends most of his time online at night.
• Pornographic materials are found in your child’s computer.
• The child receives unknown calls. These can either be long distance calls or simply calls from numbers you don’t recognize.
• Presents or letters sent by mail may indicate that your child is receiving gifts from sex predators.
• The child prevents you from seeing computer conversations.
• Your child begins to withdraw from family or other social activities.
• A child uses an account that belongs to someone unknown.
What to Do
Once you suspect an online sexual activity involving your child, go over some parental control measures that can immediately correct the incidence.
Here are some steps to consider:
• Be open and talk to your child about your suspicions. Inform them of the possibility of sex predators over the web.
• Check your child’s PC. Ask help from friends, relatives, and even coworkers on how to search for sexual content and materials over your child’s computer.
• Make use of Caller IDs in your home. Through this gadget, you can monitor incoming and outgoing calls. Some Caller IDs also allow you to block calls from unknown individuals.
• Monitor you child’s email, instant messaging account, and all other forms of electronic communication.
• Once you spot a problem, immediately notify the authorities so they can do the necessary actions against predators.
• Talk to your child once more and allow them to communicate openly with you. Assure that comfort, trust and protection are felt by your child so they can be more open about the problem.
