onlinepredator

=**Online Predators**= //Understanding their techniques, motives, victims, and what we can do to stop them.// This purpose of this web page is to help people understand online predators and figure out new ways to protect ourselves from them.

**What is an online predator?**
An online predicator is an internet user who exploits vulnerable people usually for sexual or finical purposes. The people these predators are after are normally younger in age.


 * Resource 1** ([|**www.answers.com/what%20is%20an%20online%20predator**])

What age group is being affected most with boys or girls targeted?
77% of users attacked are 14 years or older 22% of users attacked are 10 to 13 years old Boys are most likely to be targeted more often then girls because they are more trusting of what they hear while girls are skeptical of the situation.


 * Resource 2** ([|**www.sentrypc.com/statistics.htm**])

How do online preadtors operate?
Also, offenders rarely deceive victims about their sexual interests. Sex is usually broached online, and most victims who meet offenders face to face go to such meetings expecting to engage in sexual activity. Many victims profess love or close feelings for offenders. In the N-JOV Study, 73% of victims who had face-to-face sexual encounters with offenders did so more than once. When deception does occur, it often involves promises of love and romance by offenders whose intentions are primarily sexual. In the N-JOV Study, only 5% of offenders pretended to be teens when they met potential victims online Most offenders are charged with crimes, such as statutory rape, that involve nonforcible sexual activity with victims who are too young to consent to sexual intercourse with adults.


 * Resource 3** (**http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/amp632111.pdf**)

What sites are most used by online predators and how?
Online predators mostly use [|www.myspace.com] to target children through commenting, messaging, and the pictures they post. On this site 75% of children share personal information about themselves and family in exchange for goods and services.


 * Resource 4** ([|**www.eMarketer.com**] )

What can parents do to help prevent online preadtors from attacking their children?
Parents can help children to realize when they're in a dangerous situation. Parents should let their children know that they need to go to them if they feel uncomfortable with something they see online. Children should always know that the incident isn't their fault whatever the case may be.


 * Resoure 5 (http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/prevention/index.html)**

Our Opinions
In our group's opinion this is a very serious matter. Online predators should not be taken lightly. Even if a child isn't physically hurt, the solicitation can greatly hurt their self-confidence, and future relationships. Parents should know how to protect their children on the Internet and take action to keep their children safe.