"The Vulnerable Child"

One thing that parents have to worry about, that they didn’t have to worry about 10 years ago, is internet predators.

These days you never know who it out there. The internet is filled with dirty old men (and dirty young men), and possibly women, trying to get information about your child.

When I started this job and was required to write a blog, I never thought that I would have to be careful of what I wrote. I knew not to do the obvious things like state their names and where we lived.

However, it has been brought to my attention that people can find you no matter what you do or don’t do. If they want to find you, they can.

I have tried to be very careful about not mentioning my children’s names.

I’m writing this blog entry b/c I want parents to be aware of the little things that can tip a predator off.

Simply mentioning an event that your child has been involved in (i.e. baseball games, etc.) can be a clue. You could say that your child played in the city baseball tournament and won. Then, if you were to post a picture of your child, with his/her uniform on, they could find out what team they played on. Don’t forget that most children’s last names are printed on the back of their shirts.

Internet predators are patient. They will sit and wait for the right information.

So what can a parent do to protect their child?

First of all, be sure to warn children (no matter their age...if they can use a computer, warn them) about internet predators.

Go over the things that predators can use to gather information and make sure they don’t give that information out.

MySpace has become a haven for internet predators. Kids’ pages are filled with pictures of their personal activities and their friends and families. This is just adding fuel to the fire.

If your child is old enough to use MySpace, monitor their account. It’s almost impossible to monitor everything your child does on the computer, but there are steps you can take to protect them. Don’t ever let a child have computer in their room. This is where problems begin. While you’re sleeping, a child can get on the internet and do things without your knowledge.

Since I’m not the parent of a teenager, I can say not to do that. I’m sure it’s easier said than done. I do realize this. I can’t imagine trying to make a teenager understand why they cannot have any privacy.

For those parents that have younger children, like me, just keep this in mind for the future. A family computer placed in the living room is optimal.

Another thing that parents can consider, with older children, is having them sign an agreement saying that they will follow the rules that you have set for using the internet. Having a teen sign an agreement gives them an accountability that they would not have had before.

Have any of you ever heard of having a child sign an agreement stating that they will not commit suicide without first talking to an adult? This has been proven to be effective. It’s the same principle.

Most importantly, make sure your child knows that it’s never ok to meet anyone from the internet without you being present. I know that teens meet friends (not just sexual conquests) on the internet. So, saying that you must be present is more realistic than saying they can’t do it at all. Put this in your contract.

Do any of you have any other tips for parents on how to keep your children safe online?

Read comments and leave yours HERE.