If You Only Knew What Your Child Was Saying On-line

Today, it is an absolute normal part of most kids’ daily routine to be online “chatting” with someone!

The majority of the time that “someone” is a long-time friend or classmate that they probably have already spent the entire day with! Who knew there could be that much more to discuss after getting home?

Oh, wait a minute…we did that on a device called a telephone! The difference was that you had to wait your turn to use the phone and there probably was a time limit. And,if someone else tried to call while we were on the phone, they got the ever popular busy signal.(Very frustrating at times!)

Also, there was no caller ID. So, you had to just take your chances and answer the phone when it rang…and rang…and rang.

Today, our children spend a great deal of time engaged in online internet conversations. But the difference between being online and being on the phone are vast.

For instance, although your child could be talking to one or two friends,there could be an instant message that “pops up” from a total stranger. Perhaps an e-mail is in your child’s mailbox from someone they have never met. And, perhaps your child will choose to engage in one of these forms of contact.

Many parents think they know who their child is talking to online and what they are talking about. But even the seemingly innocent web sites like MySpace or Face Book are powdered with adults who may have a deviated personality, or worse, are actually pedophiles and/or convicted sex offenders.

As a parent, you probably have expressed your disapproval to your child about talking to strangers online. What many parents don’t realize is that these socially malevolent individuals who choose to contact your child do is to “reel them in,” so to speak. They are charming, manipulative and calculating.

They know exactly what to say and how to say it! Before you know it, your child may have given out all types of personal information that under any other circumstance, a child wouldn’t tell a stranger face to face.

In addition, the child feels validated and understood by these predators, which furthers the trust between them as well as the dialogue. These conversations aren’t limited to just social networking sites. Online teen chat rooms, where many kids go to talk, are often peppered with online predators.

The predator himself may pose as another frustrated, venting teen. Part of the manipulation here is that they know the lingo,they understand the world of chat rooms and their goal is to always get access to a child, any child.

Blog sites are another field day for these deviant people. Find any blog where a teen talks about their academic struggles, disagreements with friends, dissatisfaction with parents and “rules,” or the general unfairness of the world and the predators are given just one more advantage. With a foot in the door, they have one more way to manipulate these children and gain access to their personal information which could, and sometimes does, lead the predator straight to the child.

The bottom line? Educate your children and never stop talking to them about the dangers! Also, monitor their e-mail and once in a while, think of a reason to just say “hello” or peek in on them. Remember, children who have nothing to hide, hide nothing. Make yourself aware, be proactive and apologize for nothing! You may save your child’s very precious life!