I think that this really needs to be put out there because the danger is real.  Please follow these guidelines, at least on this forum, so we can avoid anything happening.

 

How do online predators operate?

Predators establish contact with kids through conversations in chat rooms, instant messaging, e-mail or discussion boards. They often pretend to be younger, usually closer in age to their victim. A lot of teens and kids go on peer-support online forums to deal with their problems and predators often go to these areas to look for vulnerable victims.

Online predators try to gradually seduce their targets through attention, affection, kindness, and even gifts, and often devote considerable time, money and energy to this effort. They are aware of the latest music and hobbies likely to interest kids. They listen to and sympathize with kids problems. They also try to ease young peoples inhibitions by gradually introducing sexual content into their conversations or by showing them sexually explicit material. Not good.

Some predators work faster than others, engaging in sexually explicit conversations immediately. This more direct approach may include harassment or stalking. Predators may also ask the kids they meet online for future face-to-face contact. Thats a big no-no!!

Which young people are at risk?

Teens are the most at risk age group of being approached by online predators. They are exploring their sexuality, moving away from their parents control and looking for new relationships outside the family. Therefore, they are more likely to take risks online without fully understanding the possible implications.

Young people who are most vulnerable to online predators tend to be:

• new to online activity and unfamiliar with Netiquette
• actively seeking attention or affection
• rebellious
• isolated or lonely
• curious
• confused regarding sexual identity
• easily tricked by adults
• attracted by things apart from their parents world

We kids feel they are aware of the dangers of predators, but in reality were quite naive about online relationships. Dont look at me like thatyou know its true. In focus groups conducted by the Media Awareness Network in 2000, girls aged 11 to 14 initially said they disguised their identities in chat rooms. They admitted, however, that it was impossible to maintain a false identity for long and eventually revealed personal information when they felt they could trust a person.  Building this trust took from 15 minutes to several weeks not a long time for a skilful predator to wait.

How can you help to not be victimized?

Take the following precautions:

• never download images from an unknown source they could be sexually explicit
• tell an adult immediately if anything happens online that makes them feel uncomfortable or frightened
• choose a gender-neutral screen name that doesnt contain sexually suggestive words or reveal personal information
• never reveal personal information (including age and gender) to anyone online and not filling out online personal profiles.

I know, this sounds really stupid and stuff, but trust me:  you never know what to expect on the internet.  Its a scary place.  I know, my friend was really close to being a victim, and it was really scary.