Cyber Predators
Definition
Cyber predators are people who use the internet to exploit usually younger people for sexual and other purposes. Many cyber predators pretend to be someone else, or lie about details about themselves to gain trust of their victims. It has been estimated that one in five children have been sexually solicited online.
Safety Issues
The safety risk of cyber predators is not only the mental and emotional abuse they intend to inflict on their victims, there is also the potential for these predators to meet their contacts in person. Cyber predators can then physically abuse.
Tips for Students
- avoid talking to people you do not know in person
- never post photos that reveal personal information (like home address, phone number, or license plate numbers)
- never meet up with persons only known through the internet.
Tips for Educators
- talk to students about what behavior is acceptable
- closely monitor what students do on classroom computers
- communicate with parents the signs to look for if they suspect their child is involved with a cyber predator.
Tips for Parents
- parents should be on the look out for their child spending excessive time on the internet or has multiple emails/screen-names
- if their child switches screens quickly when they enter the computer room
- if their child withdraws from their normal activities.