There is a new type of crime sweeping the globe and your kids may be at risk. CyberCrime has been around for several years, but it continues to grow in severity and reach as more children begin using the internet at a younger age. From internet child predators and pornographers to identity thieves and online solicitors, the internet can be a dangerous place if you or your children are not prepared. “My top priority is protecting Floridians from CyberCrime and my Child Predator CyberCrime Unit (CPCU) is working to carry out that mission, arresting online predators and providing services to victims of child pornography,” says Attorney General of Florida Bill McCollum on his internet safety Web site, SafeFlorida.net.

Of the approximately 77 million children using the internet daily, one in seven between the ages of 10 and 17-years-old have been sexually solicited online according to the Federal Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. According to the site, Florida ranks fourth in the nation among the volume of child pornography cases.

To help protect yourself and your child there are several, simple steps you should take regarding your online safety. For instance, never give out personal information (home address, school name, age, etc.) in chat rooms or bulletin boards. Don’t post photos of your children on Web sites that are available to the public, even if you are comfortable with the “friends” online. If you are concerned about your children’s online activities, talk to them. Remember to be understanding however when they answer – it will determine if they will confide in you again.

You should instruct your children not to click on any links that are contained in e-mail from persons they don’t know. Consider sharing an e-mail account with them as well and, if possible, join them when they enter a chat room or private messaging session. Also, try keeping the computer in a family room rather than your child’s bedroom. A good rule of thumb is to ensure you give them enough privacy but do not completely remove yourself from their internet lives.

These are only a small amount of the steps you should take to bolster internet safety. and resources available from SafeFlorida.net. For a complete list of their resources, visit them online.

You Should Know:

• You can find SafeFlorida online at www.SafeFlorida.net.
• If you become aware of the transmission, use or viewing of child pornography while online, immediately report this to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline at 1-800-843-5678 or www.cybertipline.com

Article by Corey Gehrold