Protecting Our Children on the Internet - Predators and our Children
What is a predator and where are they? Most of them are male between the ages of 18 and 55.
They hide where adults and children least expect them to be: online gaming, social media, and other miscellaneous apps as well as in stores, malls, and coffee houses in your own neighborhood. They are everywhere and can lure in your unsuspecting children for sexual solicitation which could then lead to abduction. They are looking for the innocent and naïve. This is unfortunately happening far too often now with society’s increased dependence on the internet.
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How do predators lure your children in? They may pose as someone younger to get your child to communicate with them. Many will ask them personal questions, such as their favorite color, toy, food, or sport. Sometimes predators pretend to have similar interests. They could offer them something that entices them to reveal their address, school, or other place they hang out. Children and teens are extremely vulnerable to this.
What can you do as a parent or caregiver? Educate, educate, educate. Install filters on all electronics. Familiarize yourself with the games and social media sites your children are using. Look at where they message and video message with others.
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Teach them to never message/text/send photos or communicate with anyone who you and they have not met in person. Don’t think your children are above this just because you have told them about it once or twice. It is our job as a parent to protect them by being in constant communication with them. Be aware of what they are looking at and doing all the time. Also, be aware that just because you may not give your children electronic devices doesn’t mean they won’t be using them somewhere else. I’ve seen children as young as three using another child’s devices whom they met at a playground. You don’t know what kind of filters, if any, other children have on their devices, so just be savvy. We are responsible for our children.
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Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life.You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. Psalm 138:7