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ADVICE RATING

4.94 (Highly recommend) from 11 votes (62 Visits)

Keeping your child safe from online predators

by haleysmom2007

(May 2007) (rank 500+)

I have a 13 year old daughter who loves to get online and go into chat rooms. I have found that predators can be in any chat room because all they have to do is lie about their age and boom, they're in. I make sure that my computer screen is

faced to where I can see exactly what my daughter is doing. I have taught her to never give her full name, address and phone number out on the web. If someone starts to talk in an inappropriate way, she informs me and I then report this person to the company and usually the person is removed. However, that doesn't mean that the person didn't sign in using a different name so I advise anyone with children who get online to make sure you watch what he/she is doing at all times. There are even some internet providers that will monitor what websites your children go to and send you a monthly report. It is fun for children to be allowed to play online line, we as parents just have to make sure we take the appropriate measures to kep them safe. Information is the best key to prevention.

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ADVICE RATING

4.94 (Highly recommend) from 11 votes

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	June 2007 \| vlooi

Re: Keeping your child safe from online predators

This is really good advice. From someone who has been there: at all times keep the lines of communication open with your children. You may not always like what you hear, but at least you will be hearing it and if serious enough - you can intervene. I would only intervene if it is really serious. for less serious issues try and discuss calmly or you will lose the advantage and any future information. Weigh up the pro's and con's of any action you take.

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	1.45 (Very Poor) \| June 2007 \| Angered

Re: Keeping your child safe from online predators

This is an absolutely horrible concept. Keeping tabs on your child's online activity? What are you, hyper-oppressive?

Any danger, anything that could put them at risk on the internet, is easily stoppable without being a controlling, destructive parent.

Let's think about this. They don't give out their full names, and other personal information. That stops any harassment that may occur. And the only other thing that can happen is that they try to meet a stranger in real life. At 13, unless you really screwed up, they should not only have the ability to pass judgment that it is a stupid idea on their own, but also be able to honestly tell you where they are going.

Basically, this advice, and all followers of it, is/are pathetic. You are keeping your child on a short leash with your paranoia. Try to instill in them common sense, and don't be absolutely nuts like you seem to already be, and NOTHING will happen to them regarding the internet or strangers.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| June 2007 \| vlooi

Re: Keeping your child safe from online predators

you clearly haven't been in a situation like this. Do read "Different things for different people" - that I wrote and see what you think. My daughter was only 13 at the time.

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	November 2007 \| lindterbean

Re: Keeping your child safe from online predators

I sincerely hope you continue to have the luxury to believe as you do. Still, I think it is possible to dispense constructive advice without being nasty to people with whom and whose situations and history you have no real knowledge of. Clearly your children are perfect, at least as far as you know. They always tell the truth, do only what they are told and have no desire to see past what you have exposed them to. Congratulations.

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	May 2007 \| Marglr

Geee

What a world,good advice!

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| May 2007 \| rjongm

Making your kids aware is right on.

Hate to link drop, but just saw the Dateline program, "To Catch a Predator", http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11152602/

You can't say enough about how real this issue is. The best thing that you are telling us to communicate with your kids so they are very clear about what to look out for and what to do.

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