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Internet exposes children to world-wide dangers

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Our Viewpoint

Almost all of us think about keeping a close eye on our children when they’re enjoying the afternoon at a park or playground. There could be a stranger lurking around the corner just waiting for the right moment to pounce on an innocent child.

But sexual predators don’t have to stake out playgrounds anymore. Not when they can reach children in their very own homes — even with their parents in the other room.

It’s called the Internet and it presents a very real fear for parents and the safety of children throughout the world. A child or teen doesn’t always know who they are chatting with on the Internet. Children can interact on their computers with adults who pretend to be children.

That’s why Thursday night’s seminar at Ben Lomand Telephone’s location across from Gateway Tire is meaningful. The free meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m., will include a presentation from a Knoxville-area police detective who pretends to be a child in order to catch pedophiles online.

To show how easy it is for a child to engage in an online chat with one of these criminals, the detective will conduct a live demonstration. Since computers and the Internet are here to stay, parents need to inform themselves of the dangers.

Statistics provided by the Web site protectkids.com show how vital it is to monitor the computer use of your children:

  • Sex is the No. 1 searched topic on the Internet.
  • 40 percent of people charged with child pornography also sexually abuse children, police say.
  • 89 percent of sexual solicitations were made in either chat rooms or instant messages.
  • 13 million children and teens use instant messaging.
  • 1 in 5 children who use computer chatrooms has been approached over the Internet by pedophiles.
  • 1 in 33 received aggressive sexual solicitation where they were asked to meet, were called on the telephone, or sent mail, money or gifts.

    With the free tips provided tomorrow night, the seminar is a valuable resource for parents. It will identify red flags to look for in the behavior of your young Internet user. Here are a few warning signs:
  • Your child is hiding disks.
  • Your child spends an inordinate amount of time on the Internet or is online late into the night.
  • Your child uses computer files that end in .gif or .jpg. These are picture files that may contain harmless photos – or pornographic material.
  • You discover unusual charges on your credit card statements. Be especially suspicious of phone charges that identify themselves as “Web Site.” Many pornographers don’t provide their names to avoid raising parental concern.
  • Your child quickly changes the computer screen when you enter the room.
  • You notice changes in your child’s behavior such as mention of adults you don’t know, secretiveness, inappropriate sexual knowledge, sleeping problems.

    Like so many problems facing our children today, the Internet is an influence which must be taken seriously. Computers are essential in many aspects of today’s society. But they also present a danger. That includes strangers having access to children in their very own homes.

    Like it’s name suggests, the World Wide Web opens up children to potential predators from McMinnville to Manhattan to Morocco. Be prepared to protect your child.
    • Posted in News

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