Lock Your Cyber Doors: Keeping Children Safe from Sexual Abuse

January 9th, 2012

The Internet is no longer new technology. For children in particular, surfing the net is just a fact of life. Kids are learning how to navigate technology earlier than ever. When they turn 13, children are legally allowed access to Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and many online blog sites, however kids much younger than 13 are smart enough to lie about their age. Unfortunately, as our children’s know-how of technology grows, often surpassing our own, so does the potential for danger.

Sexual Abuse Intrudes on the Safety of Home

Parents want to think that children tucked away in their bedrooms are safe, at least, from sexual predation. Thanks to computers with built in cameras and web cameras that is no longer the case. Although the Internet does not abide by state borders, sexual predators may be closer than you suspect.

On Thursday, December 22nd, the Louisiana State Police and the FBI caught Marcus Lee, a 33-year-old convicted sex offender in Folsom, LA. Lee reportedly posed as a 15-year-old boy to convince a 13-year-old girl to perform sex acts in front of her web camera.

On January 5, 2012, Richard Chandler, an ex-Kingfisher police officer, pleaded guilty to participation in a child exploitation enterprise. From January 2008 to August 2010, he was involved in the advertisement and distribution of child pornography on the message board entitled “Dreamboard.”

Proximity can make it easier for cyber abuse to become physical abuse if the abuse is not discovered and ended.

Tips for Keeping Your Child Safe

The best thing that you can do for your child in this regard is to be aware of their online activity. Learn the ins and outs of the sites they are frequenting. There are a few simple measures to take in order to stay wise to their online experiences.

• Put their computer in a communal space. If they have a laptop, require them to use an Ethernet connection to connect to the Internet to control where in the house they can get online.
• Use parental controls. You can block specific sites as well as those with unfavorable content. When setting these up, be as creative and unpredictable as you can with your password. Remember, kids are pretty clever.
• Check their web history. Most kids will know how to clear their browser history, but do it anyway. This demonstrates to them that you are aware and that you care. Also, clearing web browser history is a red flag that they are trying to hide something.
• Read their text messages. Many cell phone services now offer a service to email children’s text messages to their parents. While there is something to be said about privacy, text messaging can be a hotbed for bullying and predation. Let them have private conversations with their friends face to face or over the phone.
• Allow only age appropriate social networking. Be aware of age restrictions on the sites that your child is logging into. If they are not old enough yet to legally participate, there is a good reason.
• Be their online friend. Become a member of the social network sites, such as Facebook, that your child is involved in. If they keep an online blog, read it. These measures will help you keep track of who is interacting with your child online as well as detect potential abuse. You can also use online monitoring programs to follow their use of social sites even when you don’t have time to check.

Teach Your Children to Protect Themselves

The fact is that being 100 percent aware of your child’s online activities is nearly impossible. At some point, you must educate your kids about how to protect themselves online and avoid dangerous situations.

• Keep the pathways of communication open. Talk to your kids about their online experience so they are comfortable coming to you if someone approaches them in an inappropriate manner.
• Teach your children how to report and block anyone who makes them uncomfortable.
• Explain the importance of sticking to appropriate subject matter, language and comments.

What if…

If the worst happens and your child is a victim of online abuse report the issue immediately and seek legal council. Sexual and emotional abuse can be traumatizing for children and their families. If you or your child has been abused then it is your right to take action to collect compensation for the trauma and expense of that abuse.

Contact Us

The Louisiana sexual abuse attorneys of Lamothe Lea Aertker, LLC are compassionate and experienced. We offer a free consultation, which is completely confidential and of no obligation to you, during which we will discuss your legal rights and options. Contact us today online or by phone at 877-249-6801.

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