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For those who think about anonymity, the Internet is relatively more anonymous than the real world. Thanks to it, people can cover their real identities and pretend to be someone they are not. A lot of good can happen from it, too, for instance, going undercover to catch criminals. But, a lot of bad things also come from it. Especially to children and teens, to whom these things pose a real threat. Online predators can lure children into sexual talks. They can even manipulate kids to meet them face-to-face. It is highly essential to teach your children about online predators, considering these things. They should be on their guard when they are on the Internet.
Teens are the ones who are more exposed to online predators and similar dangers. It is because they are at a curious age, and they also want acceptance from their peers. Thus, there are chances that they might end up talking to an online predator willingly. In worse scenarios, teenagers believe that they have fallen in love with someone they talk to on the Internet when the kids don’t even know who is behind the messages. Such things may make them more likely to show up for face-to-face meetings with predators.
Avosmart is a parental control tool with a lot of information about Internet safety for both parents and children. With its help, you can keep a watch on what your children do on the Internet. You can even block websites and apps if they are potentially harmful. Furthermore, you can put time limits on apps and even check their history on the Internet and read their chats. Getting Avosmart to ensure your children’s safety on the Internet is a wise thing to do.
Teaching your children about online predators
Although it is not necessarily likely that an online predator will contact your child, there is a danger. So, here are some guidelines and rules that you can tell your kids to follow to ensure that they stay away and safe from online predators.
- Avoid using indicative images or names because it can bring in unwanted attention.
- Be cautious if someone tries to flatter you. Although not everybody is wrong and some people are genuinely kind on the Internet, predators try to flatter people. They do it to start a relationship with the teen. So, it doesn’t mean that you need to be suspicious and doubt everyone, but you surely must be careful.
- Avoid talking to those who want to get too personal. If people want to talk about sexual or intimate things, it will be best to end the conversation there itself. Once you get into these talks, one thing may lead to another, and it surely won’t be good.
- You should also always remember that people are not who they say they are. Online predators can pretend to be kids or teenagers on the Internet to talk to other children. They may also take the help of a fake profile that may be so convincing that even you won’t be able to understand who is behind the curtain.
- Never go for a meetup with someone you met on the Internet. Online predators may also try to arrange an actual meeting with a child or a teenager. It can be dangerous even if the person seems to be kind.
- If children encounter a problem, they should talk about it to their parents or, if not, at least a trusted adult. If anybody makes your kid feel uncomfortable on the Internet, they should be open enough about it to consult you. As a parent, you should save the chats or anything else that the authorities may require as evidence.
Who should you contact if your child faces a problem?
If you think that your kid is being troubled by an online predator, you should seek instant help from these authorities.
Local police department: If your kid is in immediate danger, it will be best to dial 100. Or else, you can call the non-emergency number of the department to report a problem.
Cyber Crime department: You should call them to report crimes against children on the Internet. These crimes include the online enticement of kids for sexual acts, obscene images being sent to them, and child pornography.