Help Your Kids Safely Navigate The Internet
Help Your Kids Safely Navigate The Internet The Las Vegas office of Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force estimates the number of children in the United States useing the Internet is more than 30 million. The task force also provides the following statistics: 1 in 4 had an unwanted exposure to sexually explicit pictures. 1 in 5 received a sexual solicitation or approach. 1 in 17 was threatened or harassed. 1 in 33 received an aggressive solicitation (called them, asked them to meet or sent them something in the mail, etc.) When a solicitation occurred on the Internet, 65-percent of the time it was in a chat room and 24-percent of the time in an instant message. Where was the computer when this happened? 70-percent are at home 22-percent are ar someone else's home 4-percent are at school 3-percentare at the library 66-percent of solicitations were aimed at females 34-percent of solicitations were aimed at males Do children report? Only 25-percent reported to a parent. Less than 10-percent were reported to law enforcement, an Internet Service Provider or a hotline. The task force says children are naturally curious, easily led by adults, have a need for attention and affection, have a need to defy parents. Offenders: 99percent are male 92-percent are non-Hispanic white 86-percent are older than 25 years of age 97-percent acted alone Few (11-percent) were known to be violent About 10-percent had prior arrests for sexually offending against minors What PARENTS can do: Establish rules for Internet use (how long, with whom, what sites ...etc.) Keep the computer in a common room Stress importance to tell you or a trusted adult if something makes them feel scared, uncomfortable or confused. Communicate and be cool and keep your cool if they talk to you. Be informed (Chatroom lingo, Social Networking sites, take a class ...etc.) Ask to see your child's "page" if they post one. Check it often. CAREFULLY consider safeguarding options (filtering, blocking, etc.) Report incidents by calling 1-800-843-5678 or www.cybertipline.com What CHILDREN should do: Do not post personal information onto a site or Instant Message your personal information Personal information includes: name, school, parents name, after school hobbies or activities, school schedule etc.) Differentiate between actual real life friends at school (kids your own age and who have met your parents or you have met theirs) and people you "meet" or become "friends" with on line. Think about a chatroom like a dark room with 500 people in it - you cannot really tell who people are. You should not send or post your picture on line - you cannot control what others do with it. Sending pornographic pictures of anyone under 18 is a violation of federal law - even if it your own picture. Tell your parent or a trusted adult if something happens which makes you feel scared, uncomfortable or confused. Remember, it is not your fault. Information, tips, and facts taken from Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force material, Netsmartz.com, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. http://www.klastv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4952564&nav=menu102_1