Online Stranger Danger
How to avoid online Grooming & predators
Although I hate to talk about these types of things, I would be doing the readers a huge disservice if I did not communicate the potential dangers and possible solutions to this problem.
Predators assume fake online identities and go on chat rooms, gaming sites and social network platforms just like anyone else. They will try to target young and impressionable people, often by “connecting” over their related life situations and speaking about their shared struggles or appreciation for things.
According to a leading FBI agent within the cybercrime division, almost all of the online predators he has brought to justice ask at least one or more of the following questions:
- Do you have a good relationship with your parents?
- Can they see your screen?
- Do your parents have access to your accounts?
All 3 questions revolve around making sure the young person involved is isolated, in an effort to not get caught out. After time spent building a “bond” and false sense of trust, the online predators will attempt to arrange an in-person meeting. This is either done through ensuring that no one else will be at the victim’s home or by offering up a unique meeting location.
Helping Children stay safe when talking to others online
Online messaging and chat are popular ways for children and young people to communicate. There are several things you can discuss with children to help keep them safe. With the rise in popularity of messaging apps and digital communication, young people often keep in touch online. It is common to worry about their safety, but by setting boundaries and expectations, you can help to guide their use.
It’s important that parents and young people know the dangers that are out there. Young people should know that the best response for when anyone asks online; if they have a good relationship with their parents, if their parents can see their screen or if their parents have access to their passwords, that simply saying “yes” and informing a parent/caregiver of the conversation.
Do research and create your own account
It can help with conversations if you are familiar with the program or app that you want to discuss. It can also help in giving advice to children. The Office of the eSafety Commissioner has a guide on age restrictions and privacy tools that games, applications or websites might have.
Find out the age restrictions for the sites and applications your child wants to use.
Find out how to block unwanted users. You can then talk to your child about how to do so. If you think your child may already know how, you can ask them to show you, and learn from them.
Depending on the age of your child, set up your own accounts and ‘friend’ your child. By doing this, you can understand how the site’s privacy settings work, see what your child posts online and how your child responds to posts made by others.