Internet Safety for Children 5/21/2010
Did you know?
- 1 out of 5 youths using the internet will receive an online sexual solicitation over a 1 year period?
- 29% of youths using the internet will freely give out their home address if asked?
- 65% of online sexual exploitation incidents happen in internet chat rooms?
Online computer exploration opens a world of possibilities for children. There is virtually unlimited knowledge and cultural experiences online that allows a child to broaden their horizons far beyond normal means. Unfortunately, the same online tools can make children vulnerable to exploitation and harm by computer-sex offenders. These offenders attempt to sexually exploit children through the use of attention, affection, kindness, and even gifts. These individuals are often willing to spend considerable amounts of time, money, and energy in the process of seducing their targets.
Children, especially adolescents, are sometimes interested in and curious about sexuality. They may be moving away from the total control of parents and seeking to establish new relationships outside their family. Sex offenders targeting children will use and exploit these characteristics and needs. These dangers are in every part of our society, not just on the internet. By educating children to these dangers and taking appropriate steps to protect them, children can still benefit from the wealth of information available online. Simply limiting or removing access to the internet is not enough.
Things to watch out for:
- Does your child spend large amounts of time online, especially at night?
- Does you child turn the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen when you come into the room?
- Has your child received long distance phone calls from someone you do not know?
- Has your child received mail, gifts, packages from someone you do not know?
- What you can do:
- Talk openly with your child about the dangers of online exploitation.
- Use caller ID to see who is calling your child.
- Spend time with your child online. Ask them to teach you about their favorite online destinations.
- Utilize parental controls that are available in your internet browser or from your internet service provider.
- Keep the computer in a common room in the house, not in your child’s bedroom. Keep the computer in a location where the computer screen is easily visible.
Educating your child is your best first choice. Help your child to understand that people online are not always who they say they are. Teach your child to never give out their name, address, phone number, or picture to someone they meet online and to never meet with someone they meet online. Most importantly, teach your child what to do if they are made uncomfortable by something they encounter online. As a parent, understand that even if your child was a willingly participant in any form of online exploitation that your child is a victim and needs to be protected.
Who can I contact about online exploitation?
- If your child or anyone in your household has received child pornography
- If your child has been sexually solicited by someone who knows your child is under the age of 18
- If your child has received sexually explicit images from someone that knows your child is under the age of 18
You should immediately contact your local or state law enforcement agency, the FBI, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Keep your computer turned off in order to preserve any evidence for law enforcement use unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement agency.
You can call the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588 to find contact information for your local and state law enforcement agency.
Dial (801) 579-1400 to contact your local FBI office. Online, go to: www.fbi.gov
Dial 1-800-843-5678 to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Online, go to: www.missingkids.com
Additional Resources:
www.iKeepSafe.org – Coalition for online child safety from sexual exploitation
http://www.fbi.gov/publications- FBI’s online parent’s guide to internet safety
http://www2.state.id.us/ag/protecteens - Idaho Attorney General’s online protection program