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Internet Safety – Using Technology Wisely

Posted on November 11, 2009, by , under Computer.

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In our last newsletter we mentioned techniques that online predators use to persuade young girls and boys to listen to them, and ultimately, meet them.  Here are the last three typical stages used by online predators:

  • In Stage 4, they typically talk more about adult experiences and sexual topics, gradually introduce more sexual photos and pictures into conversations, encourage you to be sexually curious, and to believe that sex between adults and minors is normal.
  • In Stage 5, they typically use threats of violence or public humiliation if you stop communicating or refuse to meet in person.
  • In the Final Stage of the grooming process, Internet predators achieve their ultimate goal of arranging a face-to-face meeting with you. The text was taken from the website: http://www.dmoz.org/Kids_and_Teens/safety_teens.html

Has your child ever:

  • Communicated online privately with someone you’ve never met face-to-face?
  • Talked about meeting someone you only know from email, IM or online chat?
  • Used acronyms like PIR (Parent In Room) or POS (Parent Over Shoulder) to let someone know your parents are in the room so you can hide conversations from them?
  • Found out that someone you were talking to online was an adult pretending to be much younger?
  • Pretended to be older or younger than you really are in email, IM or online chat?
  • Answered personal questions about your age, sex or location in email, IM or online chat?
  • Sent a picture of yourself to someone you’ve never met face-to-face?
  • Created a profile that others can see or link to from your screen name?
  • Created a private email account with passwords that your parents don’t know about?
  • Opened email and attachments from strangers?
  • Talked online about sexual topics or received sexually explicit links in email, IM or online chats?
  • Been solicited by an adult online and not told your parents?

“If you answered YES to any of the questions above, then you are definitely taking risks online.”

We have heard about online predators for some years now, and often feel it happens to someone else who is more naïve and less aware, but we still need to watch what our children do online to keep them safe.  As always, be aware of changes in their attitude and “be there” for them.  When asked, many of our students say their parents are their heroes.  They will listen to you and are grateful that you care enough to safeguard what they do online.

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