Protecting Kids from Online Predators

Today's guest on Parent Choices for Struggling Teens, was Detective Rich Wistocki, a Special Investigator and a member of ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) who discussed with Lon a topic, both interesting and terrifying for parents-the "online dangers for kids." Throughout the show, Detective Wistocki vigilantly stated, "Parents must check and monitor their kid's online world."

Eighty percent of kids online today are in grades 6-12. Those who are getting into trouble online are doing so using video chat and Skype. According to Detective Wistocki, our children are easily preyed upon by Internet "traffickers." These traffickers use Facebook and Social Media to entice youngsters, especially young girls. Often they get them to move out of state and then get them to become "escorts".

"Kids think they are really safe behind their computers," explains Detective Wistocki, "and yet on Craigslist, young boys are being victimized quickly. I tell them that until you can verify someone (their name, address and school) assume they are liars."

With the use of "file sharing networks," like Facebook, Twitter, and Match.com, perpetrators can easily take advantage of or stalk kids, and kids often become victims of a "sweetheart scam." For example, a girl goes on a dating site. Someone overseas steals her identity, then gathers credit card numbers and scams thousands of dollars from her and/or her parents. Another example is through Internet gaming with multiple players. The predator gets a kid to go to Instant Messaging or phone texting to find out more about him, using the gaming connection as an 'in' with him. Sexting is a technique teen boys use to collect nude picture of girls. They then use both intimidation and threat to expose these pictures via email to everyone the girl knows. Another tactic is hijacking. This is where a child uses a friend's computer to check his messages and then the "friend" steals his login information and uses the account for slander, bullying, deleting, and/or adding inappropriate pictures to it while locking the original owner out and ruining his reputation.

"Parents, you are responsible for your children, both in their physical life and in their virtual life." Detective Wistocki stressed. "Parents have to be parents of their kids, not friends. There is no such thing as privacy." He suggested parents should start monitoring kids at a young age; as soon as the child is given the ability to text or explore online. It's ok to let the child know you monitor them and their online world because you love them and you are responsible for them.

"When you walk into your child's room and he closes out of his computer, you know there is something sneaky he doesn't want you to see," hints Detective Wistocki. "This is the time to lay down the law."

Detective Wistocki conducts Internet safety courses across the country for parents and faculty, through churches and schools, with the belief that education is the key. "Parents are hungry for this information," he explained to Lon, "and there is a growing effort through legislation, special task forces and police within the communities to crack down on the victimization of our children. I show parents how to navigate Facebook and give them tools to use to monitor their kids."

On his website, Detective Wistocki lists several software options that parents can get to monitor their child's phone and online usage. He also recommends the movie 'Trust' to see an example of how Internet predators go out and get children.

To listen to the full interview go to: Protecting Kids From Online Predators on LATalkRadio.
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Lon Woodbury is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports Inc. and www.strugglingteens.com. He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984 and is the host of Parent Choices for Struggling Teens on LATalkRadio Mondays at 12:00pm, Pacific Time, Channel One.

Detective Rich Wistocki is the president of Be Sure Consulting Corporation and currently on the High Technology Crimes Unit in IL, a Special Investigator with the Will County State's Attorney's Office, a Special Response Team Sniper and a member of: the IL Tactical Officers Association (ITOA), the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), The High Tech Criminal Investigators Association (HTCIA) and (CECTF). Illinois Tactical Officers Association (ITOA), since 1995 Internet Crimes against Children Task Force (ICAC), since 1998 High Tech Criminal Investigators Association (HTCIA), since 2000 United States Secret Service Computer Electronic Crimes Task Force (CECTF), since 2001Illinois Tactical Officers Association (ITOA), since 1995 Internet Crimes against Children Task Force (ICAC), since 1998 High Tech Criminal Investigators Association (HTCIA), since 2000 United States Secret Service Computer Electronic Crimes Task Force (CECTF), since 2001

This segment of Parent Choices for Struggling Teens was sponsored by Spring Ridge Academy, www.springridgeacademy.com , a therapeutic boarding school for girls, ages 13-17, located in Arizona.