During this holiday time, kids will inevitably spend more time online. The latest story out of the United Kingdom is an example that no matter how cautious you are, parents need to be involved in their child's cyber-life.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, A British couple posing as their young daughter on Facebook have trapped a man who was grooming the girl for sex.
Thomas Gibbs, 52, was arrested after the 11-year-old's parents handed evidence of their online exchanges to police, and then arranged to meet him in public, at which point he was arrested.
Gibbs was jailed yesterday for 16 months after admitting in Oxford Crown Court to meeting a child following sexual grooming, the Daily Mail said.
The court heard how the girl's parents had noticed their daughter chatting on Facebook in the family living room.
The mother took over the laptop and saw Gibbs had commented on the girl's profile picture, saying he wanted to kiss her, the Mail said. He also wrote: "I really like you" and "I want to meet you".
After notifying police, the woman and her husband continued to chat online with Gibbs for a week, posing as their daughter, the Mail said.
When Gibbs asked to see the girl, the mother suggested a meeting in Witney, Oxfordshire. The couple watched him from a distance, but did not meet him, the court heard.
Another meeting was arranged in Carterton 12 days later, when Gibbs was arrested, the Mail said.
I applaud these parents for taking action. Being an educated parent is part of the equation, putting it into action is parenting.
Learn more about how these predators prey on kids by visiting The Kristin Helms Foundation. In loving memory of Kristin who was a victim of an online predator.
Updated Chat room safety tips.
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