They lie in wait, like venomous snakes. They find our kids in chat rooms and online gaming. Sometimes they seduce with gifts or promises of affection. Often they lie about their age and submit fake photographs. They take their time developing trust and make a move on more than one victim at time. They learn what the child wants and plan to fulfill that desire.
The predator is familiar with what kids are into and even learns the jargon, as well as the latest expressions. Discussions can even start about rock groups and teen novels. Being calculating and very cautious, they develop a skill that is hard to detect as dangerous. The inexperienced teen quickly falls into the trap.
Equally vulnerable is a depressed child. A sympathetic ear can lead to a planned meeting. Many teens are willing to meet with strangers. It’s hard to fathom, but some teens have actually met more than one predator online and have had sexual relationships with them.
It is so important not to give personal information. Never give the name of your school or address. Teens have been known to be stalked by these deviants. A computer should be kept in an open area of the home. It needs to be supervised and should not be kept in the bedroom of the child. Predators will sometimes ask if the teen is alone. If not, the perpetrator will find someone who doesn’t have adult supervision.
Adults must take an interest in what online activities their child is participating in. Limit the amount of time permitted for online social activities. Be sure to encourage your child to report any and all suspicious activities they notice while online, especially if someone sends explicit photos or seeks personal information.
The pedophiles will search through public forums posing as teenagers and will often create fake personal files. They will then lure the target into a private chat area. It could be an email address or even a cell phone number. They will tell them what they want to hear. Sometimes they will send explicit photos claiming it’s their photo, when it’s not. In exchange, they ask for a nude photo of the teen. The unsuspecting person does it willingly.The pedophile could then have an address along with a photo. It now becomes a blackmail item. “Meet me or I’ll post this picture online.” In desperation, the target agrees. A sexual encounter could result in tragic consequences.
Teenagers need to realize the consequences of posting nude photos online. They become public. It doesn’t take long for these to circulate among pedophiles. The problem has grown so much that law enforcement officers are assigned to pose as teens to trap these individuals. When the meeting takes place, they are arrested. It takes a joint effort from all of us to stop the madness. It’s all about our kids. Take a stand and supervise your child’s activities, report suspicious activity for the safety of our youth.
