According to the Federal Public Security Secretariat, the second crime (after child pornography) that is most committed against minors in cyberspace is the phenomenon of grooming, when an adult establishes ties of friendship to obtain inappropriate images of the child (Cyber Predators). Something to keep in mind is that it is a mistake to place a computer in the children’s room, since supervision is lost since parents do not know what their children are exploring behind the screen.
You have to know that there are always people lurking taking advantage of the anonymity of the Internet and using the most advanced techniques to deceive their victims. These are a constant threat and are usually very patient and sometimes communicate with their victims for days, weeks, months and even for more than a year before arranging the encounter with the minor.
What can we do to avoid contact or at least be more prepared against Cyber Predators
In the case of parents, the best protection is preventive education. For that they must learn very well to identify all the risks and dangers they face every time their children use technology, and what to do if it ever happens. Some recommendations to start educating on the prevention of sexual abuse online are:
▸Set rules
An example would be not allowing them to use electronic devices in transit or visible places and avoid chatting with the door closed since they will not know who they are talking to or what they are doing.
▸Set a time limit usage.
It has been investigated that after 10 p.m. the number of users connected to the network increases and with the same the risk to those who are exposed increases.
▸Install antivirus
Installing these safe browsing security programs will increase the security of electronic devices used by minors.
▸In case of installing webcam
Restrict its use with a security key or have the viewfinder covered.
▸Use a parental control app
This will help to know your habits on the Internet, and detect sudden changes in behavior. They are the best indicator that something has happened that you should know about and will probably need your help and advice.
Read also:
Risks posed by Cyberbullying to its victims
Risks of Virtual education today, in Confinement times
