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Your kids and teens are on school break now which usually means more time online. Although the Internet can be an educational tool, like many good things, there are pitfalls. Internet Predators, which can be also considered sexual offenders, are a major problem and reason for parents to take a serious concern. These are the monsters that lurk in cyberspace and unless you and your children know the warning signs, you can become a victim too.
Take the time to learn more about Internet Predators. Watch the short video below for more information. Remember an educated parent leads to safer teens and kids. This is a subject you can't ignore and you have to find and/or MAKE time for.
According to a study by the Crimes Against Children Research Center: The publicity about online "predators" who prey on naive children using trickery and violence is largely inaccurate. Internet sex crimes involving adults and juveniles more often fit a model of statutory rape - adult offenders who meet, develop relationships with, and openly seduce underage teenagers -- than a model of forcible sexual assault or pedophilic child molesting. This is a serious problem, but one that requires different approaches from current prevention messages emphasizing parental control and the dangers of divulging personal information.
Developmentally appropriate prevention strategies that target youth directly and focus on healthy sexual development and avoiding victimization are needed. These should provide younger adolescents with awareness and avoidance skills, while educating older youth about the pitfalls of relationships with adults and their criminal nature. Particular attention should be paid to higher risk youth, including those with histories of sexual abuse, sexual orientation concerns, and patterns of off- and online risk taking.
- Avoid descriptions of the problem that characterize victims as young children or emphasize violence and deception.
- Be clear about why sex with underage adolescents is wrong.
- Focus prevention efforts more on adolescents, less on parents, and frankly on concerns relevant to adolescents, including autonomy, romance and sex.
- Focus prevention more on interactive aspects of Internet use and less on posting personal information.
- Educate youth about criminal behavior and child pornography.
- Develop targeted prevention approaches for the most at risk youth populations.
- Assess for patterns of risky online behavior.
Source: Wolak, J., Finkelhor, D., Mitchell, K., Ybarra, M. (2008). Online "Predators" and their Victims: Myths, Realities and Implications for Prevention and Treatment. American Psychologist, 63(2), 111-128 (CV163)
Learn more about Internet Predators, visit The Kristin Helms Foundation. In loving memory of Kristin Danielle Helms, who sadly lost her life after being taken in by an Internet Predator. Her foundation is her voice, learn and be proactive in protecting your kids virtually.
Parenting Teens 2010 Resolutions is about getting in touch with your teens and kids technically. Take the time to read this 5-part series. You could prevent a tragedy.
Also review: Sexting - What Parents Need to know.
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