I am a parent myself and even with all of my background I have struggled keeping track of where my teenage kids are going on the internet. My kids are probably more tech savvy than the average kids. I plan on adding a section on my web site with basic information for parents and resources that they can get online to learn how to protect kids and themselves. The reason I bring this up is as I was doing some research on the Internet last night I found that literally no one is leading the charge to help protect kids (and help parents). Frankly it amazed me.
When my daughter was in 8th grade we went on a trip to a water park. We stayed overnight and she was online somewhat at the time. I had my laptop with me and she asked to use it. I found out after seeing a look on her face that there was someone talking to her online. This person was posing as a 14 year old boy from a local city. As I looked through the chats etc I saw where this was going and it was obvious it was not a 14 year old boy. I reported this person to ICE and I only found that after searching the internet (where to report it). I did receive a response that they were investigating and then never hear back from them.
Well, that is why I am now dedicating some time to educating anyone who will listen on how to look for the signs, protect their kids and themselves. In everything that is going on in our world this seems to be a subject that comes up but few are doing anything about it. Government agencies are trying but it takes others to help them with this.
I can not imagine what would have happened if I did not do something about that day and I do not want to think about it. There are parents who do have to think of it because it happens to their child. Time to educate.
