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The Problem of Pedophiles and Online Stalkers
The safety of children on the Internet is becoming a serious and important issue in our society. As the Internet becomes more popular and accessible in society, a growing number of children are becoming victims of sexual abuse and stalking after communicating with their abusers on the Internet. Children have a fascination with the Internet and use it for a variety of educational and social reasons. Children often participate in discussions in chat rooms, where they are lured into relationships with people claiming false identities. These online stalkers or pedophiles rely on the innocent nature of children. The Internet provides an anonymous venue for these pedophiles to seek innocent victims.
Fears about Children's Safety on the Internet
1. Children are not able to distinguish between innocent and dangerous acquaintances on the Internet.
2. Parents are often unaware of the activities that their children are participating in online. They cannot possibly watch the computer every minute.
3. Protective software that is intended to restrict or monitor online activity is not always reliable.
4. The Internet provides an anonymous venue for these pedophiles and online stalkers to look for, find, and attack children.
5. The Internet also provides an anonymous place for pedophiles to meet with other pedophiles to discuss their activities, strategies, and victims.
Web Resources Addressing: Children's Safety on the Internet - The Problem of Pedophiles and Online Stalkers.
Title: The Children's Protection Campaign
Web Address: http://www.thecpac.com/protect.html
Brief Description: This website provides an overview of the issues and concerns about protecting children from pedophiles. It offers help for parents on prevention and suggests that education is the best way to prevent this type of abuse. This website suggests that parent groups and schools should encourage parents to talk to their children about their online activities. Because it is almost impossible for parents to watch their children online at all times, discussion about their activities is imperative. This website also suggests that all parents should get settings that protect and monitor their kids' online activities. Other suggestions are offered including placing the home computer in a central location in the home. Links to other sites about laws and information are also provided.
Title: A Parents Guide to the Internet
Web Address: http://www.familyguidebook.com/pedophile.html
Brief Description: This website describes the anatomy of a pedophile. The information includes what they act like, their tactics for luring innocent children, and what they look for when they are searching for a victim. It also describes how children start to trust their stalkers. This website also provides a link to the "Safety Article of the Week," which educates parents about how to keep their children safe.
Title: Child Cures Prevention - Research and Articles - "A Profile of the Child Molester."
Web Address: http://www.childlures.com/research/molester.asp.
Brief Description: This research article provides recent information about the anatomy and profiles of child molesters and pedophiles. This information includes descriptions of these criminals. It also provides information about how they can come from all walks of life, prefer different sexes, and do not discriminate by race, class, or age. This website emphasizes that this problem has no boundaries and afflicts people in every segment of society. This research also lists groups around the world, including Rene Guyon Society, NAMBLA (The North American Man-Boy Love Association) and PAN (Pedophile Alert Network). Many of these groups have monthly magazines and newsletters including seductive techniques. This research also discusses the fact that many of these criminals meet on the Internet to swap methods, stories, and pictures. The anonymous nature of the Internet communication provides an easy way for groups to meet.
Title: Predator-Hunter.com
Web Address: http://www.predator-hunter.com/articles.htm
Brief Description: This website is a safety net for the Internet that is devoted to finding pedophiles and child molesters. It discusses the root of this problem and the profile of the molester. This website also provides links to articles on how parents can protect their children from pedophiles roaming the Internet. It also provides links to law enforcement on child abuse, the warning signs of victims, the Center for Children in Crisis, child abuse statistics, research, and resources, and many more. There is also links to frequently asked questions, resources, and recent news on this issue.
Title: Wired Patrol
Web Address: http://www.wiredpatrol.org/stalking/kids.html
Brief Description: This website is devoted to finding and prosecuting pedophiles and online stalkers. This website wants to stop "cyber predators". Links are provided to groups that are devoted to stopping and preventing crimes against children including Cyber 911, Wired Cops, Wired Kids, and Wired Help. All of these are resources and tip lines allow people to report and investigate these crimes. It also offers advice on what to do when you suspect that your child is in danger. This website also offers further information and resources for parents.
Title: Carteret.com - "Online Stalking and Pedophiles."
Web Address: http://www.carteret.com/children
Brief Description: This website was created by a group that is dedicated to making the World Wide Web a safer place for children. It provides information on the nature of the Internet and why it can potentially be dangerous. It also provides information about chat rooms and other venues for online stalkers. The group supplies a list of guidelines to help in the prevention of these crimes. Links to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are also provided.
Recommendations for Sensible Solutions
1. Software programs that are designed to protect and filter the material that is available for children on the Internet should be drastically improved. Software is already available for parents to purchase, but it should be cheaper, more accessible, and more reliable. There have been many cases in which certain software programs failed to work.
2. Schools, community centers, and other government organizations should work on implementing educational classes and distributing pamphlets for parents. If parents are educated about the possibility of sexual abuse by pedophiles and the ways that the Internet can endanger their children, they might be better prepared to help avoid potential problems. Parents also need to be educated about the symptoms and signs of abuse or existing online relationships that their children may have.
3. Because education about these problems is the most effective solution, I also recommend that schools should include classes and seminars in order to inform young children of the dangers of pedophiles and online stalkers. This education should begin in elementary school and should continue through high school. It should be required of every student and should be continually reinforced.
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