Fears of Internet predators unfounded, study finds

Discussion in 'Computers and The Internet' started by skip, Feb 19, 2008.

  1. skip

    skip Founder Administrator

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    This article should serve as a reality check for those who are paranoid about children being on the Internet. I believe children are actually safer using the Internet than going to the mall as this article points out.


    By Frank Greve | McClatchy Newspapers

    WASHINGTON — A lot of parental worries about Internet sex predators are unjustified, according to new research by a leading center that studies crimes against children.

    "There's been some overreaction to the new technology, especially when it comes to the danger that strangers represent," said Janis Wolak, a sociologist at the Crimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire in Durham.

    "Actually, Internet-related sex crimes are a pretty small proportion of sex crimes that adolescents suffer," Wolak added, based on three nationwide surveys conducted by the center.

    Two of the surveys contacted 3,000 Internet users aged 10-17 in 2000 and again in 2005. The third sums up findings from 612 interviews with investigators at a nationally representative sample of agencies that deal with Internet sex crimes involving children.

    In an article titled "Online 'Predators' and Their Victims," which appears Tuesday in American Psychologist, the journal of the American Psychological Association, Wolak and co-researchers examined several fears that they concluded are myths:

    Internet predators are driving up child sex crime rates.

    Finding: Sex assaults on teens fell 52 percent from 1993 to 2005, according to the Justice Department's National Crime Victimization Survey, the best measure of U.S. crime trends. "The Internet may not be as risky as a lot of other things that parents do without concern, such as driving kids to the mall and leaving them there for two hours," Wolak said.

    Internet predators are pedophiles.

    Finding: Internet predators don't hit on the prepubescent children whom pedophiles target. They target adolescents, who have more access to computers, more privacy and more interest in sex and romance, Wolak's team determined from interviews with investigators.

    Internet predators represent a new dimension of child sexual abuse.

    Finding: The means of communication is new, according to Wolak, but most Internet-linked offenses are essentially statutory rape: nonforcible sex crimes against minors too young to consent to sexual relationships with adults.

    Internet predators trick or abduct their victims.

    Finding: Most victims meet online offenders face-to-face and go to those meetings expecting to engage in sex. Nearly three-quarters have sex with partners they met on the Internet more than once.

    Internet predators meet their victims by posing online as other teens.

    Finding: Only 5 percent of predators did that, according to the survey of investigators.

    Online interactions with strangers are risky.

    Finding: Many teens interact online all the time with people they don't know. What's risky, according to Wolak, is giving out names, phone numbers and pictures to strangers and talking online with them about sex.

    Internet predators go after any child.

    Finding: Usually their targets are adolescent girls or adolescent boys of uncertain sexual orientation, according to Wolak. Youths with histories of sexual abuse, sexual orientation concerns and patterns of off- and online risk-taking are especially at risk.
     
  2. Rah

    Rah Member

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    Not much consolation if your kid happens to be the one some perv hits on tho is it?
    so the message still has to be "get the best security you can and keep monitoring those kids"
     
  3. usfcat

    usfcat CaterCreeps

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    Interesting. Nice post.
     
  4. skip

    skip Founder Administrator

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    Yes, and that will lull parents into a false sense of security. Since the WWW arrived on the scene, sexual attacks on teens has DECREASED 52% as the article says. You can THANK the Internet for that! By allowing teens to interact without physically meeting up, you DECREASE the chances of child abuse.

    What parents need to worry about is when KIDS GO OUTSIDE to meet people. That is where GOOD parenting comes in.

    Kids should always tell parents where they're going, who they're meeting. Some parents can track kids via their cellphones.

    So your kid at home on his/her computer ISN'T really at risk. It's when they leave the safety of home that you need to worry.

    It's the same situation it has ALWAYS BEEN. Nothing has changed. Teach your children well and you'll have no problems. IGNORE your kids and watch them shoot up their school one day. It's UP TO PARENTS to monitor their kids, not software! Take responsibility and stop blaming the INTERNET, cause it's not the problem, nor are sites like this!
     
  5. Adderall_Assasin

    Adderall_Assasin Senior Member

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    Valid point that the Internet may be helping to decrease attacks.
     
  6. Rah

    Rah Member

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    I see your point but I still stand by my point. Attacks over the internet are still happening so people should invest in good monitoring and security. and again I say that even though there arent as many attacks over the internet as people imagine, there are still attacks and the figures cant be any consolation if your kid gets hurt

    some firewalls these days, notably cisco and sonicwall come with remote human and machine monitoring licences that increase security by many times.
    theres some good stuff but very expensive it is
    I cannot afford it
     
  7. MattInVegas

    MattInVegas John Denver Mega-Fan

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    A valid point Skip. But, I like to think that 'Education' is what caused the change in those stats. Here, in the U.S. even the youngest school age child is taught about 'BAD' touching AKA sexual abuse. That's why I keep asking you about the 'Amber Alert' thing.
     
  8. warmhandedcanadian

    warmhandedcanadian shit storm chaser

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    No matter what the numbers are, its a new way of finding and grooming children, its a new way to expose children to pornography... a modern way to exploit children. The predators already know how to pick these children, and the article almost sounds like it would be fine to do so. Appears to me as Victim blaming.
     
  9. xexon

    xexon Destroyer Of Worlds

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    From what I've read, today's kids have little interest in online pornography. They're used to it as just another thing you can see online.

    It doesn't have the shock value to them as us older folks might think.

    As for predators, the internet is certainly a happy hunting ground, but the ability to be traced and arrested deters all but the most stupid of them. Which means only the stupid ones get caught. What about the rest?


    x
     
  10. Duck

    Duck quack. Lifetime Supporter

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    Well, fitting a little bit in each category, I can tell you, I agree perfectly with this statement.
    I found porn on the internet long before I started actually looking at it. For awhile, it was mostly something to avoid while looking for flash games, or somethign to look at for about two seconds to laugh at with friends.
    Then, as I grew up, and my hormones kicked in, instead, I masturbated to it :)

    Internet is just an extended version of society. I would say that the article is right in saying that the fears are exaggerated. I would also say that you should take caution in either case.
    As always, there will be the overprotective parents, there will be the underprotective parents, and there will be those in the middle.
    And as always; children from each category will fall victim to attack.

    I think viewing Internet as the enemy detracts from the dangers in real life.

    Also, to all parents, most internet security systems are a waste of money. There are always ways around them, and when I was in high school I found myself going on sites that the filters didn't allow just to see if I could.

    I recommend talking to your kid about the dangers of the Internet. Much better.
     
  11. skip

    skip Founder Administrator

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    Uh, I would say talk about the dangers of HUMANITY, period. Again it's all up to the PARENTS to do their job well. If they don't then their kids will be influenced and led by others.

    What medium it occurs in IS IRRELEVANT.

    It's like blaming the phone company when a terrorist sets off a bomb via a cellphone.

    The other thing is ppl think kids on the internet exist in some kind of vacuum.

    Like there's no RULES posted anywhere.
    Like there's no LAWS being enforced everyday.
    Like there's no PEOPLE/MODS watching.
    Like Kids have never seen this shit before.
    Like Kids have never been warned, ever.

    Get real folks. Blame the parents, not the Internet if something happens to their kids.

    And again, you can spend a LOT of time worrying about Child Molesters on the Internet, OR you can START worrying about all the PARENTS WHO ABUSE THEIR OWN CHILDREN, who escape punishment because there is NOBODY WATCHING behind closed doors.

    At least on the Internet there are a LOT of ppl watching. And all interactions are recorded in many places: ISP, webhost, users computers (predator and victim), FBI & NSA black boxes etc.

    One thing many predators have in common...
    They abuse THEIR OWN CHILDREN too.

    Why isn't THAT a cause celebre? Why aren't the COPS going into ppls homes and spying on parents and children interacting?

    Oh, wait, you mean there are STILL some privacy laws left?

    If ppl are really concerned about Child Abuse they should Stop it where it begins... AT HOME! Ignoring a child and NOT teaching them about the world is Child abuse too!

    The hysteria and hype over Internet child abuse is just another convenient political excuse to invade EVERYONE'S privacy

    One more thing, before ppl forget...

    KIDS HAVE FREE SPEECH TOO!

    And this is one site that strives to protect that freedom from those who would censor and repress young voices.
     
  12. skip

    skip Founder Administrator

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    Here's a reprint of tips for parents from another thread. Source: Microsoft.

    Do these things, and you probably won't ever have to worry about your kids online behavior. Notice it DOESN'T say to buy security software. Not only is this shit common sense, but it applies beyond the Internet too. As I said good parenting is about teaching your kids about LIFE, not just the Internet.

    The same advice about dealing with "strangers" applies to the Internet and Life equally.

    1.Encourage your kids to share their Internet experiences with you. Enjoy the Internet along with your children.

    2.Teach your kids to trust their instincts. If they feel nervous about anything online, they should tell you about it.

    3.If your kids visit chat rooms, use instant messaging (IM) programs, online video games, or other activities on the Internet that require a login name to identify themselves, help them choose that name and make sure it doesn't reveal any personal information about them.

    4.Insist that your kids never give out your address, phone number, or other personal information, including where they go to school or where they like to play.

    5.Teach your kids that the difference between right and wrong is the same on the Internet as it is in real life.

    6.Show your kids how to respect others online. Make sure they know that rules for good behavior don't change just because they're on a computer.

    7.Insist that your kids respect the property of others online. Explain that making illegal copies of other people's work—music, video games, and other programs—is just like stealing it from a store.

    8.Tell your kids that they should never meet online friends in person. Explain that online friends may not be who they say they are.

    9.Teach your kids that not everything they read or see online is true. Encourage them to ask you if they're not sure.
     
  13. Duck

    Duck quack. Lifetime Supporter

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    I agree. Let me re-word. Talk to your kids about dangers of people on the Internet. =)
     
  14. skip

    skip Founder Administrator

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    I'd just shorten that to the "dangers of people." That's my point. Whether you meet them on the Internet, on the street, in school, on the phone, at the mall, wherever, it doesn't matter cause the danger is the same, or perhaps worse when you meet someone in person.

    Indeed a parent does a GREAT disservice to a child by inferring that the "bad people" are all online predators. That's why it's NOT a good idea to single out the Internet anymore than the telephone.

    One thing that article mentions and other studies are finding out are that certain children are PREDISPOSED to illogical risk-taking. And that is perhaps a much bigger determinant of them getting into trouble than anything else.

    So perhaps such children need to be identified and special attention given to them. Don't just TEACH them the dangers, cause that won't stop the risk-taking, but perhaps an intervention is necessary or a diversion into "safe" risk-taking activities.

    And once those hormones kick-in, there's little ANY parent can do but pray they've taught their kids well...
     
  15. Duck

    Duck quack. Lifetime Supporter

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    Yes, but the thing is, you have to also make sure to teach safety for specific places.

    In public, the safety comes in when you try not to be alone, try not to go out in night, avoid any suspicious people, etc.
    If someone breaks in, you got 911, and maybe a house specific safety plan of sorts.
    On the internet, the article you posted a few posts up covers the grounds nicely.
     
  16. Rah

    Rah Member

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    Erm actually they dont at least not until the age of majority, it's the reason they are called "minors" because if you look at the etymology of the word it means

    "condition of being smaller," from M.L. minoritatem (nom. minoritas), from L. minor (see minor). Meaning "state of being under legal age" is from 1547

    When a child reaches adulthood we say they have reached the age of majority, but until that time they are minors.
    It means they are excluded from public life in a way that adults arent. Children form a minority part in society - children are not equals in society. Adults have free speech children do not, they are called Minors because they form a lesser stake in society.
    minors are under the legal age to form a consensus of opinion and are therefore excluded from the political process by laws preventing them from obtaining the vote or from competing in elections. Minors cannot choose whether or not to go to school like an adult can choose whether or not to work. The state and their parents speak for them. Children have no financial status under the law and cannot form legally binding contracts, they cannot borrow money from banks because they cannot be held responsible for their debts, there is about a billion things that prevent children from having free speech. Children do not have free speech except through their parents or guardians or the state (if in care)
     
  17. Adderall_Assasin

    Adderall_Assasin Senior Member

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    Rah, if you want to go that deep, you might question the interpretation of the word "free" or maybe the word "speech" when used in that statement. Speech might be interpreted as the physical means of communicating with the human voice. It might also mean the freedom to express thoughts and opinions.

    My point is, children are free to speak, but the audience is simply selective to listening.
     
  18. Rah

    Rah Member

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    Actually your definition does not include the idea of free speech, merely random speech. Free speech is actually a construct enshrined in law, the defining characteristic of which is that to attain free speech you must have reached the age of majority, and have qualified as a fully fledged citizen of whichever country you hope to excersise that free speech. Free speech isnt just the ability to say anything you want - thats just called "rambling on" or similar. Free speech is actually a presumption that one is free to speak under the law, something which children do not have the right to excersise as attested by the fact that children are not allowed to represent themselves in a court of law. Children are simply not free under the law and neither can they excercise free speech in any aspect that does not involve secondary representation either through a parent/guardian, or state imposed representatives.
    Children impose their will only because adults agree they are allowed to impose that will. If adults disagree the child is always over ruled. Children cannot form a consensus of opinion that affects the way they choose to live without consultation with the adult world and therefore they are not free to speak
     
  19. skip

    skip Founder Administrator

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    Gee Rah you must be a legal eagle. Yet you're all wrong about children and free speech. The courts have mostly upheld the rights of children to free speech, even in school. There is NO AGE restriction on free speech rights in America, unless there's a secret law I don't know about. Please show me the law limiting the free speech of minors.

    Here's something from the American Library Association that puts this in perspective, and highlights the reasons why we allow children on this website. Note: they clearly state that ONLY parents have the right to censor what their children access, not the law.

    Free Access to Libraries for Minors

    An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

    [size=-1]Library policies and procedures that effectively deny minors equal and equitable access to all library resources available to other users violate the Library Bill of Rights. The American Library Association opposes all attempts to restrict access to library services, materials, and facilities based on the age of library users.[/size]

    [size=-1]Article V of the Library Bill of Rights states, "A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views." The "right to use a library" includes free access to, and unrestricted use of, all the services, materials, and facilities the library has to offer. Every restriction on access to, and use of, library resources, based solely on the chronological age, educational level, literacy skills, or legal emancipation of users violates Article V.[/size]

    [size=-1]Libraries are charged with the mission of developing resources to meet the diverse information needs and interests of the communities they serve. Services, materials, and facilities that fulfill the needs and interests of library users at different stages in their personal development are a necessary part of library resources. The needs and interests of each library user, and resources appropriate to meet those needs and interests, must be determined on an individual basis. Librarians cannot predict what resources will best fulfill the needs and interests of any individual user based on a single criterion such as chronological age, educational level, literacy skills, or legal emancipation.[/size]

    [size=-1]Libraries should not limit the selection and development of library resources simply because minors will have access to them. Institutional self-censorship diminishes the credibility of the library in the community, and restricts access for all library users.[/size]

    [size=-1]Children and young adults unquestionably possess First Amendment rights, including the right to receive information in the library. Constitutionally protected speech cannot be suppressed solely to protect children or young adults from ideas or images a legislative body believes to be unsuitable for them.1 Librarians and library governing bodies should not resort to age restrictions in an effort to avoid actual or anticipated objections, because only a court of law can determine whether material is not constitutionally protected.[/size]

    [size=-1]The mission, goals, and objectives of libraries cannot authorize librarians or library governing bodies to assume, abrogate, or overrule the rights and responsibilities of parents. As "Libraries: An American Value" states, "We affirm the responsibility and the right of all parents and guardians to guide their own children's use of the library and its resources and services." Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents—and only parents—have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children—and only their children—to library resources. Parents who do not want their children to have access to certain library services, materials, or facilities should so advise their children. Librarians and library governing bodies cannot assume the role of parents or the functions of parental authority in the private relationship between parent and child.[/size]

    [size=-1]Lack of access to information can be harmful to minors. Librarians and library governing bodies have a public and professional obligation to ensure that all members of the community they serve have free, equal, and equitable access to the entire range of library resources regardless of content, approach, format, or amount of detail. This principle of library service applies equally to all users, minors as well as adults. Librarians and library governing bodies must uphold this principle in order to provide adequate and effective service to minors.[/size]

    [size=-1]1See Erznoznik v. City of Jacksonville, 422 U.S. 205 (1975)-"Speech that is neither obscene as to youths nor subject to some other legitimate proscription cannot be suppressed solely to protect the young from ideas or images that a legislative body thinks unsuitable [422 U.S. 205, 214] for them. In most circumstances, the values protected by the First Amendment are no less applicable when government seeks to control the flow of information to minors. See Tinker v. Des Moines School Dist., supra. Cf. West Virginia Bd. of Ed. v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943)."[/size]
     
  20. Rah

    Rah Member

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    That is all about the flow of information that children can access. It merely says they can access the information in a flow, the direction of which is from others to them. It says nothing about the extent to which a child may participate in free speech when the flow is from the child to others.
    As I said before, a child cannot represent themselves as an equal in society. They cannot use free speech to manipulate the world as they want it and therefore do not have free speech. Courts and parents and the teaching profession and so on all take decisions for children because children have no rights of free speech to form a consensus on political, educational, or judicial matters concerning children.

    I never doubted that a child has the right to the product of others free speech I just doubt they themselves have freedom of speech, what you produced was merely the right to access information

    sorry its all a bit off topic now I just thought the point was interesting thats all pity its not another thread and another forum topic
     

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