Heather Little -White, Ph.D., Contributor
AS WE advance in technology such as online computers, we know that these can expand the horizons of our children. However, care must be taken to protect our children from exploitation and harm by computer sex offenders. As we celebrate Child Month, this is a good time to highlight the deviant practices associated with the Internet.
The information highway on the Internet may expose children to several dangers, so it is necessary that parents provide the necessary guidance and look for signs that their children may be sexually exploited. It is easy for sex
perverts and pedophiles (adults who target children with
sexual expressiveness) to use attention-getting tactics.
LATEST MUSIC
Online sex offenders devote a considerable amount of time, money and energy to offer affection and kindness including money and gifts. The guise is to work through the latest music, hobbies and interests to children. What the child predator does through the Internet is to wear down a child's inhibitions by slowly introducing sexual content into their conversations online. In some instances, they will entice the children and arrange face-to-face meetings to deliver what had been promised.
Some teenagers have a natural interest in sexually explicit material so they will spend hours on the computer exploring pornographic sites. Since teenagers are at the stage where they are under less control from parents and may be seeking new relationships outside the immediate family, they are a prime 'catch' for pedophiles or online sex offenders. They
can be easily seduced and manipulated by very clever
sex offenders.
SCOPE
The scope of the Internet in facilitating sex offenders and pedophiles is wide. The Internet allows the network of sex offenders to keep in touch and share ideas about ways to lure victims. The Internet is a ready medium to open discussion of their sexual desires; to find mutual support of their adult-child sex philosophies; instant access to potential child victims worldwide; ready access to 'teen chat rooms'; to identify and track down home contact information and disguised identities for approaching children, even to the point of presenting as a member of teen groups.
TELLTALE SIGNS
What are the signs that parents may use to indicate if their children are at risk while they are online?
Spending longer than usual times online, especially at nights. This is the time that children are at greatest risk when offenders, many of whom work, are more available to make contacts.
Pornography may be on your child's computer. It is often used as a way of opening sexual discussions and seducing children. Pornographic files may be hidden on diskettes if the computer is used by other family members.
Phone calls from 'new' male friends you have never met. Some may be long distance callers on land lines but since mobile phones are readily available that is where the calls are easily placed in a private context. Callers may even get their victims to engage in mutual phone sex prior to setting up the date for real sex. Online sex offenders willingly give out their phone numbers to their targets knowing that when their targets get excited enough about sex, they will call. The sex offender will easily capture the telephone number via caller ID. They may even encourage them to call collect and telephone them credit for access.
Your child may suddenly receive mail, gifts or packages from someone you don't know.
Your child quickly turns off the computer monitor on your approach to the computer.
Your child may suddenly withdraw from family activities due to the offenders attempts to form a wedge between the child and the family bond. Withdrawal may also occur after sexual victimisation on the World Wide Web.
TALK OPENLY
If you have suspicions about your child communicating with a sexual predator online, the best approach is talk openly with your child about the dangers of computer sex offenders. Review files on the computer if you cannot do it get a friend, co-worker or relative to help you. There are devices that you can purchase to trace calls and also the computer can be set up that certain sites need passwords to access. Monitor your child's use of electronic communications such as chat rooms, instant messaging and Internet relay chat. Your child's email should be monitored to see content and time spent.
While you may not want to deprive your child of online access, keep the computer in a common room and maintain access to your child's online account. However, in the event that your child has been receiving sexually explicit material, do not let your child feel guilty as the victim but let him or her understand that the offender bears complete responsibility and may be punished under the law.
Major online services are useful in advancing information at a faster rate, but parents and caregivers must realise that they can influence deviant sexual practices and that they are capable of building a long-term 'Internet' relationship with a potential victim. In parenting, do not withhold loving your children by spending quality time with them thereby reducing the time they spend on these devices for comfort.
