Cyber-Safety

Studies show that 91 percent of teens have an e-mail address and 72 percent have an online profile where they post personal information and photos. Seventy-nine percent of teens admit to being careless when giving out information about themselves online, and 64 percent of teens say they do things online that they wouldn't want their parents to know about.

More than one-third of teens surveyed have been cyber-bullied or know of someone who has. "About 81 percent think that bullying online is easier to get away with or to hide from their parents than bullying in person," and 68 percent think cyber-bullying is a serious problem.

The same social networking tools that children and teens use to communicate with friends can be a helpful resource for sexual predators.  Online, anyone can create a fake identity with a screen name, web profile or e-mail account, and anyone can publish false or R-rated information on a website. All of this information floats free in cyber-space and amidst what's true and false, many youngsters fall prey to their curiosity and naivety.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice's Parent's Guide to Internet Safety, children and adolescents are "sometimes interested in and curious about sexuality and sexually explicit material" and, "because they may be curious, children/adolescents sometimes use their online access to actively seek out such materials and individuals."

While this seems only natural, youngsters may encounter dangerous online individuals in their exploration.

"There are individuals who attempt to sexually exploit children through the use of on-line services and the Internet."

Computer sex offenders can contact minors through chats and social networking sites, and can "manipulate" children through a process called "grooming": gradually building trust and lowering "children's inhibitions by slowly introducing sexual [content]."

The contact typically begins online and can soon progress to phone conversation and in-person communication.

In a study conducted by Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, findings revealed that
"tens of thousands of sex offenders were members of a popular social networking website." 

Although Cuomo recently passed "e-STOP" legislation, which requires that all New York State registered sex offenders register all of their Internet accounts and identifiers, first-time offenders, or those who have not yet been caught, are free to sexually solicit minors online.
According to The "Parent's Guide to Safety," parents should look out for signs that their child may be at risk.

Here are some common red flags: if your child is spending a great deal of time online, especially at night in chat rooms; if you find pornography or child pornography on your computer (online sexual predators often times send this content); if your child receives phone calls from an unfamiliar stranger or adult, or an 800 number (sex offenders obtain 800 numbers to minimize suspicion); if your child receives gifts or mail from someone you don't know; if your child quickly changes screens or flips the switch on the computer monitor when you are near; if your child is using someone else's online account (known cases of online sexual exploitation have involved an offender providing a computer account); if your child has become withdrawn from your family.

While many of these warning signs can indicate another issue or maybe nothing at all, parents should keep a watchful eye.

To minimize the chances of your child being exposed to Internet exploitation, the FBI recommends that parents communicate with their children about the risk. Parents should also spend time with their children on the Internet to teach them how to use the web appropriately.
Something as simple as where your computer is located can also be crucial.

According to the "Parent' Guide," "Keep the computer in a common room in the house, not in your child's bedroom. It is much more difficult for a computer-sex offender to communicate with a child when the computer screen is visible."

Parents should also instruct their children about the dangers of arranging a face-to-face meeting with someone they have met online, to never send pictures to a stranger online, and to never give out personal information such as their phone number, address or school.
Whether willingly or unwillingly, youngsters are exposed to "problematic internet-based content," and it is important for parents to educate their children about what sites are off limits and what cyber-behavior is considered appropriate.

Parents can also use electronic safeguards to control what their children are accessing online. By installing filters, tracking and blocking software, parents can monitor how their children are using the Internet. Parents can also block certain sites by adjusting the parental control settings through your Internet provider. This will prevent children from viewing pornographic or violent information on the web.

With 73 percent of teenagers owning their own cell phone, parents should also be vigilant about their children's phone use. Many cell phones also provide internet access, so it is important to know that your child can access harmful content in the palm of their hand. Cellular devices give children more privacy, which makes it hard for parents to monitor their phone activity. Filtering and blocking software is also available through cell phone providers. Their application is no different from setting a parental control on your family television. For example, AT&T offers an application called "Smart Limits," which allows parents to limit who their kids can call and who can call them.

Other important cyber-ethics topics to discuss are plagiarism and cyber-bullying. Make sure your children know there are consequences associated with these actions, even if the ease and freedom of the Internet appear to eliminate the risk.

Teaching your child how to behave online is no different from teaching them how to present themselves in person. By establishing cyber-ethics and teaching your children about online risks, parents can enhance their child's cyber-safety and the effectiveness of their Internet use.

For more information about cyber-safety or to view the full "Parent's Guide to Internet Safety" online,  visit www.fbi.gov/publications