Sneaky Tricks by Online Predators

send sexy pictures, convincing them that it is what every boyfriend or girlfriend does for their partner. Sometimes they even set up a time and place in which they can meet in person.

Parents shall always be aware of who their child is ‘talking to’ online. There are free mobile apps, such as WebSafety, that provide alerts and monitor the child’s texts, social media, and internet use. Parents may take advantage of such tools to help monitor who their child is linked to online.

FLATTERY

Children turn to social media for friendship and support, and to boost their self-esteem. Online predators love to take advantage of these emotions. They reach out with flattery and say things like, “You look so gorgeous.” They use compliments in an effort to create a relationship with the child.

Predators might even send gifts in an effort to gain the child’s trust, and to get the child’s personal information such as their address. For example, a free download of a child’s favorite song to help them feel better.

Parents shall teach their children to never accept gifts from people they (the children) have never met, even something as simple as a music download. They shall be sure to discuss with their child anything that they notice on the kid’s social media that doesn’t seem right.

CHATTING PRIVATELY AND SECRETLY

Online predators prefer to work in secret. Instead of making public comments, they send private messages through online chat rooms, Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat. They also target children on online games, especially if they have a chat feature.

Online predators typically work under pseudonyms. If they can gain a child’s trust, they can slowly ask for personal information (to track where he or she lives) or solicit photos. They will ask the child to keep the relationship secret from both their parents and friends.

Many social media platforms have filters to help weed out many of these types of messages. Parents need to be sure to place those filters on their child’s social media platforms. They have to talk the kid through it and tell him to never remove it. They have to be aware of the sites or apps their kid uses. Just like the parents telling the kid not to speak to strangers in person, they need to teach him never to speak to someone online he has never met either.