Bruce Mandelblit
Wednesday, May 29, 2002

The headlines are just horrific: "Girl Murdered by Man She Met Online" and "Boy Molested by Internet Sexual Predator."

Today the World Wide Web may also be the Web of Wickedness for your child.

Lurking on the Internet are people just waiting to do appalling things – especially to our country's most valuable asset, our children.

Here are some superb ideas, suggested by the FBI, to help protect your child from these despicable computer sex offenders.

1. The possible warning signs that 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 men you don't know or is making calls, sometimes long distance, to numbers you don't recognize.

• Your child receives mail, gifts or packages from someone you don't know.

• Your child turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room.

• Your child becomes withdrawn from the family.

• Your child is using an online account belonging to someone else.

• Communicate and talk to your child about sexual victimization and potential online danger.

• Have them teach you about their favorite online destinations.

• Keep the computer in a common room in the house, not in your child's bedroom. It is much more difficult for a computer sex offender to communicate with a child when the computer screen is visible to a parent or another member of the household.

• Utilize parental controls provided by your service provider and/or blocking software. While electronic chat can be a great place for children to make friends and discuss various topics of interest, it is also prowled by computer sex offenders. Use of chat rooms, in particular, should be heavily monitored.

• Always maintain access to your child's online account and randomly check his/her e-mail. Be aware that your child could be contacted through the mail. Be up front with your child about your access and reasons why.

• Teach your child the responsible use of online resources. There is much more to the online experience than chat rooms.

• Find out what computer safeguards are utilized by your child's school, the public library, and at the homes of your child's friends.

• Understand that even if your child was a willing participant in any form of sexual exploitation, he/she is not at fault and is the victim. The offender always bears the complete responsibility for his or her actions.

• Instruct your child to:
  1. Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone met online.

  2. Never upload (post) pictures of themselves onto the Internet or online service to people they do not personally know.

  3. Never give out identifying information such as name, home address, school or telephone number.

  4. Never download pictures from an unknown source, as there is a good chance there could be sexually explicit images.

  5. Never respond to messages or bulletin board postings that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent or harassing.

  6. Realize that whatever they are told online may or may not be true.

Quick Security Tip: If you believe your child is a victim of a sexual predator, you should immediately contact your local police and the FBI. Remember to keep the computer turned off to help preserve any evidence for future law enforcement use.

The above is a brief review of online child safety. For more details, please go to www.fbi.gov.

A final thought: Internet technology is a potent sword that cuts two ways. For most, it is a remarkable portal for extraordinary learning and for doing outstanding good; but unfortunately, for a depraved few, it's just a potent new weapon to help lure children into their terrible trap.

Please talk to your children, educate them about the dangers of the Web, and carefully monitor and control their online activities.

Copyright 2002 by Bruce Mandelblit

"Staying Safe" with Bruce Mandelblit is a regular column for the readers of NewsMax.com and NewsMax.com magazine.

Bruce welcomes your security, safety and crime prevention questions. He will answer questions of general interest in his column. Bruce's e-mail address is CrimePrevention123@yahoo.com.

Bruce is a nationally known security specialist, as well as a highly decorated reserve Law Enforcement Officer.

Bruce was recently commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel – the state's highest honor – by Gov. Paul E. Patton, for his public service.

This column is provided for general information purposes only. Please check with your local law enforcement agency and legal professional for information specific to you and your jurisdiction.