The Internet is a Safe Place for Children to Play
The internet is a powerful communication tool and a major source of valuable information. Children today are communicating and interacting using the internet in a multitude of ways. There are online networking sites and online chats. There are also internet games that attract a large number of children. The common uses of the internet are surfing, chatting, email, instant messaging, downloading/file sharing, social networking/blogging and gaming.
Although the internet has become a part of everyday life, there are security and safety threats that children must be protected from. One of the most serious threats to children on the internet on being victimized by a sexual predator. Unsupervised children may find their way into chat rooms or forums, which are proven venues that pedophiles use to lure victims. Other risks include cyberbullying, harassment, and stalking. The feeling of anonymity on the web makes it a perfect playground for students to engage in cruel behavior. Cyberbullying includes acts such as spreading of lies and rumors about a person, insulting and targeting a person’s sexuality or physical appearance, deceiving a person into revealing personal information and then publishing it, and posting personally identifiable information or photos without the victim’s consent.
The internet is not a safe place for children to play. Much like in the real world, the cyber world is fraught with dangers and threats especially to children. Because internet offers a community wherein anyone can enter, interact and communicate, it has become also a place where criminals (cyber criminals) lurk.
Sex Offender Registries Provide Enough of a Warning System for Parents
Sex offender registries offer accessible information to community members, most especially parents of young children, about the presence of sex offenders in their community. The sex offender registry serves as a tool for warning parents about the possible threats to their child safety and a source of information for informed actions concerning children.
Used correctly and disseminated appropriately, the information from sex offender registries provides valuable information to parents. However, parents must not rely solely on sex offender registries; rather they should work with the local police department and constantly monitor their neighborhoods. Parents must also remember that people who are in the sex offender registries are not wanted from committing a crime and they also have rights.
Local Law Enforcement is Equipped to Deal with Internet Crime
Technological advances especially in the area of communication technology and internet have made a big impact our lives. The creation computer technology has enhanced our lives. Because of computers and the internet, anyone can access unparalleled recreational and educational opportunities. Unfortunately, these technologies are also being used in crimes. In recent years, there have been an increasing number of internet crimes. Computers and the Internet are being used by predators and criminals to commit crimes.
The nature of Internet crimes presents complex new challenges for law enforcement agencies and victim service providers with regard to investigating crimes, collecting evidence, identifying and apprehending offenders, and assisting child victims and their families. The federal and local law enforcement agencies are addressing these issues, but there are still so many things to learn when it comes to preventing, identifying and investigating Internet-based crimes against children.
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