Predators
No, not this guy. I'm talking about the anonymous strangers who prey on the weak, whether they are sexual predators, scammers, or identity thieves. For parents and teachers, it is a matter of recognizing when there is a problem. Here are some tips the FBI gives in recognizing when your child or student may be falling victim to an online predator:- Your child spends large amounts of time online, especially at night.
- You find pornography on your child’s computer.
- Your child receives phone calls from men you don’t know or is making calls, sometimes long distance, to numbers you don’t recognize.
- Your child receives mail, gifts, or packages from someone you don’t know.
- Your child turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room.
- Your child becomes withdrawn from the family.
- Your child is using an online account belonging to someone else.
It is also important to educate kids on how not to become a victim. The FBI also offers many tips that can be given to kids for safe internet surfing:
- Never send out a picture without your parent's permission.
- Never write to someone who has made you feel uncomfortable or scared.
- Do not meet someone or have them visit you without your parent's permission.
- Tell your parents right away if you read anything on the Internet that makes you feel uncomfortable.
- Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.
- Never give out your name, home address, school name, or telephone number to strangers online or in a public setting like a chat room or discussion board.
Bullies
Kids can not only be the targets of strangers online, but also by their peers. Often called "cyberbullying," kids can become the target of other students through direct threats, anonymous messages, name-calling, or other harassment. While there is less of a physical component to online bullying, it also does not stop. With the amount of time most children are online, it is hard to escape this kind of bullying, and even harder to intervene. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services gives many tips in dealing with this issue at their website, stopbullying.gov:
Prevent Cyberbullying
- Be aware of what your kids are doing online
- Establish rules about technology Use
- Understand school rules
Report Cyberbullying
- Take immediate action
- Report it to online service providers
- Report illegal activity to law enforcement
- Report it to schools
Here is a video that your can show your kids that helps them deal with the emotional impact of bullying:
Always remember that when dealing with predators or bullies, becoming informed is crucial. Parents and teachers need to know what their kids are doing, and kids need to know what their boundaries are.
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