protecting your teens from predators

We are living in a generation where sex offenders and child predators are becoming more and more skillful at finding their victims. The same way a small business owner begins growing their business on the internet is the same way predators are attempting to expand their reach into the homes of millions of children. It is a dangerous time to live and we as parents have to take an ACTIVE role in protecting our children from those whose desire is to harm them.

Here are some startling statistics (Taken from Darkness2light.org):

• 1 in 4 girls is sexually abused before the age of 18.
• 1 in 6 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18.
• 1 in 5 children are solicited sexually while on the internet.
• Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults (including assaults on adults) occur to children ages 17 and under.
• An estimated 39 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse exist in America today.
• 30-40% of victims are abused by a family member.
• Another 50% are abused by someone outside of the family whom they know and trust.
• Approximately 40% are abused by older or larger children whom they know.
• Therefore, only 10% are abused by strangers. THIS IS HUGE PEOPLE!!!
• The median age for reported abuse is 9 years old.
• More than 20% of children are sexually abused before the age of 8.
• Over 30% of victims never disclose the experience to ANYONE.

Even though this information is staggering, we want to make sure that we don’t begin operating in fear regarding keeping our children safe. If you are a Christian, the Word of God gives us promises that we can and should use each and every day regarding the protection of our children. Read Psalm 91: 1 – 16 Verse 3 (NIV) says, “Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.”

The word fowler means “trapper” or “bait-layer.” Our children and our families have the right to be protected from those that try to set traps for them in order to cause them harm. This is our biblical covenant right and we should walk each day in faith believing it. Bottom line, God is our refuge and protector. Even in the midst of not knowing the dangers out there, we must always know that we can trust, lean on, and rely on God to keep our children safe under His shadow (vs.1).

We also, however, need to be fully aware of the dangers that are very present in this world and do all that we can to provide the natural and logical safe havens for our children. We have to educate ourselves as much as possible on how to keep our children safe from sexual predators. One of the fast growing tools predators are utilizing to find their victims is via the internet.

Below are some practical and important tips and suggestions to follow in order to help keep your child safe. Protect Your Children from Online Predators (Taken from Oprah.com) Minimize the Chances of an Online Predator Victimizing a Child

• Warn your children about potentially dangerous people who may try to befriend them online.
• Keep the computer in a public space in your house, not your child’s bedroom.
• Don’t allow children to use a screen name profile or to give out personal information online.
• Use parental controls provided by your service provider or blocking software.
• Monitor all chat room usage.
• Insist children never agree to meet someone they’ve met online without your permission.

Types of Children Sexual Predators Target and Prey Upon

• Children with lower self-esteem
• Children who divulge too much personal information online
• Children who frequent chat rooms
• Children willing to engage in online conversations about sex

Signs Your Child Might Be at Risk Online

• Your child spends large amounts of time online, especially at night.
• You find pornography on your child’s computer.
• Your child receives phone calls from people you don’t know or is making calls to numbers you don’t recognize.
• Your child turns the computer off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room.
• Your child becomes withdrawn from the family. Offenders try to drive wedges between a child and their family, trying to accentuate any minor problems at home a child may have.
• Your child is using an online account belonging to someone else. Sex offenders will sometimes provide potential victims with a computer account for communications with them.

If Your Child Is Approached by an Online Predator

• Write down as much information as possible-including the screen name or e-mail address of the person who contacted the child, the URL of the chat room and the date and time of contact. Report the incident to the local police department or FBI.
• In addition, you can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s cyber tipline at 800-THE-LOST. This tipline collects leads from individuals reporting the sexual exploitation of children.