Online stalkers

In today's online world, it is important for parents and caregivers to recognize that when a child is given an electronic device or allowed to use a computer, mobile phone or tablet, they are given the opportunity to browse the Internet. on their own terms.

That sense of digital freedom makes it very easy for children to create their own social media accounts and visit gaming platforms, sometimes without parental permission or knowledge.

Smart devices and social media have become part of our children's lives and have strongly influenced the way they create, share and exchange information with others.

Unfortunately, these same devices and apps have been adopted by sex offenders, who have proven exceptionally adept at using them to access children.

Children may not protect their personal information online as they would in the real world. Therefore, it is just as important to educate our children on how to "chat" with people online as it is on how to meet new people in the real world.

The Internet, for all its benefits, also offers criminals and abusers an easy way to reach young people.

Social media.

Children use social networking sites and instant messaging applications to communicate with friends and family. They are increasingly popular due to the ease with which information, ideas, personal messages and other content (photos/videos) can be instantly shared.

Social networking sites are online communities, and most sites contain a profile page where children post personal information, including their name, age, location, photographs, contact details, email addresses and, in some cases, their sexual preference.

Social networking sites may include the following communication methods:

Instant messaging/text chat.
Video Chat – via webcam.
Online chat rooms.
3D interactive communities.

KEEP IN MIND
Child sex offenders will use social media to:

Obtain a child's contact details (from profiles or online chats).
Establish a good relationship with children.
Reduce a child's inhibitions by slowly introducing sexual content into their conversations.
Seek a face-to-face meeting with a child.

Make sure your child:

Choose a non-identifying, non-gender-specific username.
Never give out any personal information.
Never accept a friend request or file from a person you don't know.
Don't share passwords.
Make sure children use age-appropriate social media apps.

Crimes against children most often begin when an adult:

a) Forges a relationship with a young victim online and then arranges to meet and abuse the child; or

b) Forces a child to produce sexually explicit images or videos through manipulation, gifts or threats, a crime called sextortion.

Online harassment preventionen ►

Mobile devices and most phones are electronic devices capable of connecting to the Internet through several different protocols, including (3G, 4G or Wi-Fi). In addition to connecting to the Internet, smart devices can also act as a mobile phone, camera, music device, and game console.

Children can personalize their smart device and download instant messaging and social networking applications that allow them to communicate and access the Internet anywhere, anytime.

KEEP IN MIND

Smart devices include built-in geolocation technologies that allow you to identify the physical location of the device. This can provide other people who use the same apps as your child with real-time access to your child's location.

You need to know which apps on your child's device use location services and how to disable them when necessary.

KEEP IN MIND

That child sex offenders send smart devices to children as gifts to enable communication.

Child sex offenders will provide telephone credit to children to enable continued communication.

Devices and smartphones

Webcams.

Most smart devices have built-in webcams that allow kids to capture and send images or stream live videos. Child sex offenders will attempt to communicate with the child via webcam in order to transmit indecent images or footage and request that children do the same.

Make sure your children have the most restrictive privacy settings in place to reduce the risk of being approached by a sexual harasser online.

Online games.

The popularity of video games and electronic devices among children has increased dramatically in recent years. Technological advances have allowed these devices to be used for various purposes. Parents should note that many gaming devices can now connect to the Internet or have built-in webcams. Some devices even offer online chat capability that allows anyone (including predators) to communicate with your child.

Child sex offenders have been known to pose as children to play games and then chat with their child. Once a friendship has been established, they may suggest taking the conversation to another Internet chat or social networking site or even setting up a real meeting.

Smart TVs.

Smart TVs are televisions that incorporate Internet access capacity.

These TVs offer interactive online media streaming and Internet television. This provides a new medium that allows users (including children) to search and find videos, movies, photos and other content on the web.

Parents should be familiar with the parental controls available on their smart TV and configure them to ensure access to content is age-appropriate.

⌂

Other Internet-enabled devices