A new study out from the University of New Hampshire’s Crimes Against Children Research Center (CCRC) found a neglible increase in the number of online sexual predators caught looking for minors, despite large increases in the number of kids using the Internet. And several other reasons to show that our online kids aren’t as endangered as hype about “stranger danger” might lead you to believe.
The study shows numerous reasons why we parents should take several deep calming breaths. Most of the arrests stemmed from active investigations by law enforcement where police officers acted as “decoy” teens to nab the these sexual offenders. In only 13% of the cases, was a real child in potential harm from these criminals. There was also almost no evidence of sex offenders randomly trolling the popular social networks or blogs of kids, trying to use information posted there to find victims in the real world. Rather, the adult offenders were engaging in chat sessions, openly discussing their interest in sex and their desire to find partners. Most kids know to avoid getting into contact with strangers online.
As we’ve discussed before in this blog, one of the signs of worry for a parent is any evidence that their child may have discussed sexual matters with a stranger on the internet. This is not the same as the sexual texting or ‘sexting’ that has everyone’s attention at the moment. That behavioral anomaly, involving 1 in 5 youths, is more often the sexual banter and teasing of teens but expressed digitally where it can be abused, forwarded and shared beyond the original intended recipient. A child who chooses to discuss private, sexual matters with strangers online may have the risks factors known to increase their possible involvement with adult partners in the real world. Therefore, if you find that your son or daughter is visiting adult-oriented chat rooms or sending sexy messages to complete strangers, you have every right to be concerned and take action.