Characteristics of an Online Predator

• Most commonly male
• 30 to 65 years old
• Has a middle- to upper-middle class lifestyle
• Usually a college graduate
• Commonly married in the past or is currently married
• Often has children of his own that are older than the children he is chatting with

How Sexual Predators Communicate

• Web sites
• E-mail
• Public and private chat rooms
• Instant messaging programs

Steps Predators Take to Meet Victims

• Appear familiar: They will mold themselves into something appealing and interesting to the child.
• Develop trust: Listen to the child and sympathize with his/her problems.
• Establish secrecy: Encourages the child to keep their relationship a secret.
• Remove sexual barriers: Feeds off sexual curiosity and slowly introduces sexual content or pictures, commonly done using Web cameras.
• Direct intimidation: Make threats if the child attempts to stop communication or refuses to meet in person.

How To Protect Your Child

• Put the computer in an open space
• Do not allow computers in the child's bedroom
• Explain that the use of the Internet is a privilege
• Outline family rules concerning the use of the Internet
• Ask your child they know about the Internet, which chat rooms they use, how many screen names they have and how many profiles they have on the Internet
• Ask your child to see their profile and buddy lists
• Stay calm and talk to your child without making accusations. Explain to him/her that if they get a picture, or if someone says something that makes them feel uncomfortable, to tell someone
• Explain that they will not get in trouble for telling a parent