Online Predation- How Children Are Sexually Abused over the Internet?

Social Networking sites and easy availability of technology has led to the expansion of online predation. It is now easy for predators to get in touch with minors, trap them into emotional conversations and coerce them into illegal sexual activities.  Since children are innocent and unaware of the malicious motives of the predators, they show willingness to meet with strangers and put themselves in danger.

As per FBI, more than 50% of the victims of online predators are just 12-15 years old. Moreover, instant chatting and messaging are found to be the most popular mediums through which victims are being trapped.

With these stats, it is clear enough that the technology should be used by children in the right way. For this, parents need to guide and monitor the online activities of their kids to ensure that they are not indulged in any wrongful activities. Let us check out some effective and useful tactics to save your child from becoming a victim of online predation:

• Educate your child about the sex offenders, their motives and consequences of connecting with them. Tell them that these offenders are ordinary people, who might appear trustworthy at first, but their ultimate motive is to trap children into sexual activities.

• Make sure that in your efforts to protect your child from abuse, you do not create an excessively restrictive and guarded environment. Such a lifestyle could impact negatively on your child’s growth. Read our post on Balancing Parental Control and Child Independence

• Monitoring is an important part of ensuring the safety of children. You cannot always ask Why, How, Whom and When while they surf the internet. Therefore monitor their activities using internet parental controls. This will help you keep an eye on the websites they visit without letting them know.  

Have something to say about bullying and online predation? Let us know in the comments section. Also, read our post on Cyberbullying-Even Adults are Being Victimized