Biggest Threats on the Cyberspace #3: Cyber Predators

Cyber Predators

Social media is one of the major channels of kids’ online activities. With the expansion of cyberspace and access to social networking sites to the majority of kids, the numbers of online sex crimes and cyber predators have also accelerated. Social media has become the biggest platform for cyber predators. Almost 82% of online sex crimes are devised from social networking sites where the predators get and manipulate the information about the victims. Perhaps not so surprisingly, more 75 percent of the victims of such crimes are girls between 9 to 15 years of age. In this article, you will learn:

- Who is Cyber predator?
- How is your kid victimized by Cyber Predators?
- What are the signs your kid is in contact with a Cyber Predator?
- How to protect your kid from Cyber Predators?

How is your kid victimized by Cyber Predators?

There are a list of mistakes your kid may make, that open the door for Cyber Predators:

- Not selecting the privacy settings on their social media
- Posting of sexually provocative pics of themselves online.
- Posting private pictures publicly.
- Posting personal information about themselves online – e.g names , school, sports team, ‘’checking-in”, town , cell number, favorite music, TV programs, a birthday party invitation.
- Accepting friend requests from someone they have never met.
- Visiting chat rooms & interacting with online strangers.
- Playing online video games against strangers.
- Placing strangers on buddy lists.
- Visiting X-rated sites.
- Talking about sex with strangers.

What are the signs your kid is in contact with a Cyber Predator?

Here are the signs that your kid is being tricked by a Cyber predator.

1. Getting gifts from unknown sources.

If your kid is receiving gifts from sources not known to the parents, it means you are not aware of your kid’s current activities. You must know who has sent the flower bouquet and with whom your kid is talking to. Sometimes, kids feel shy to tell parents about their new love interest, but it is important for their security that you know every person they meet and have some relation. Online predators lure teens with gifts, flattery and showing affection to them.

2. Disconnecting talk or changing screen when parents are within sight.

When a child is doing something they know it to be wrong, they will get nervous and start making changes to the screen they are using seeing their parents or siblings coming to them. Usually, teens like to hide their conversation with friends and their internet browsing history but if your kid continuously has something to hide, they might have an inappropriate relationship with someone they think their parents would not allow.

3. Spending more time using the phone or computer.

Undoubtedly, we all love to use the internet but our teens’ liking for the internet is more severe. If your kid uses a lot of time using the internet, it does not always mean that they are in contact with an online child predator, but it increases the possibilities that your kid could be exposed to inappropriate content or persons.

4. Having a secondary email or social media account.

It is important for you to be aware of your child’s social media and mailing accounts so you stay updated on what your kid’s social media activities are and with whom he/she is connected. If your child has another social media or email account that he/she does not want to share with you, it is a sign that there is something your kid wants to hide.

How to protect your kid from Cyber Predators?

Whether your kid is in contact with a Cyber Predator or not, you need to take protective actions to ensure the safety of your kid. Your supervision and control can be helpful in protecting your kid from Cyber Predators. However, kids' awareness of such threats and the protective solutions is much more significant to minimize the risk. Join Kids' Shield's program, and let your kid be educated, connected and stay safe while surfing online.