Internet Safety

While online computer exploration opens a world of possibilities for children and adults, expanding their horizons and exposing them to different cultures and ways of life, they can also be exposed to dangers as they hit the road exploring the information highway.  In some cases, there are individuals who attempt to sexually exploit children through the use of online services and the internet. Some of these individuals gradually seduce their targets through the use of attention, affection, kindness, and even gifts. These individuals are often willing to devote considerable amounts of time, money, and energy in this process. They listen to and empathize with the problems of children. They will be aware of the latest music, hobbies, and interests of children. These individuals attempt to gradually lower children’s inhibitions by slowly introducing sexual context and content into their conversations.

There are other individuals, however, who immediately engage in sexually explicit conversation with children. Some offenders primarily collect and trade child-pornographic images, while others seek face-to-face meetings with children via online contacts. It is important for parents to understand that children can be indirectly victimized through conversation, i.e. “chat,” as well as the transfer of sexually explicit information and material. Computer-sex offenders may also be evaluating children they come in contact with online for future face-to-face contact and direct victimization. Parents and children should remember that a computer-sex offender can be any age or sex.  The person does not have to fit the caricature of a dirty, unkempt, older man wearing a raincoat to be someone who could harm a child.

Children, especially adolescents, are sometimes interested in and curious about sexuality and sexually explicit material. They may be moving away from the total control of parents and seeking to establish new relationships outside their family. Because they may be curious, children/adolescents sometimes use their online access to actively seek out such materials and individuals. Sex offenders targeting children will use and exploit these characteristics and needs. Some adolescent children may also be attracted to and lured by online offenders closer to their age who, although not technically child molesters, may be dangerous. Nevertheless, they have been seduced and manipulated by a clever offender and do not fully understand or recognize the potential danger of these contacts.

The following guidelines were prepared as tools to keep your children and family safe when using the internet.  Further information on protecting your child on-line may be found in the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Child Safety, or the Federal Bureau of Investigations Website. Courtesy of Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Internet Safety Tips

The following rules are suggested by The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and endorsed by the New Jersey State Police.

For additional information visit the NJ State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit