It doesn't take torture for them to spill their guts   Knowing how our children can innocently give out information online, and how easily information about them can be found by strangers, is one of the important things I can teach you.

Here's a mock chat room discussion that my law enforcement friends and I agree is pretty realistic. Imagine a predatorial pedophile sitting and taking notes on this child, and using this information to lure them later.Would your child fall for this? Most, unfortunately, would.

Child: I hate my mom! I know it's her fault that my parents are getting divorced

Predator: I know. My parents are getting divorced, too.

Child: We never have any money anymore, either. Every time I need something, she says the same thing: "We can't afford it." When my parents were together, I could buy things. Now I can't.

Predator: Me too. I hate that!

Child: I waited for six months for the new computer game to come out. My mom promised to buy it for me when it came out. She promised! Now it's out. Can I buy it? Nope. "We don't have enough money!" I hate my mom!

Predator: Oh! I'm so sorry! I got it! I have this really kewl uncle who buys me things all the time. He's really rich.

Child: You're sooooo lucky. I wish I had a rich and kewl uncle.

Predator: Hey! I got an idea! I'll ask my uncle if he'll buy you one too. . . . I told you he's really kewl. I bet he'd say yes.

Child: Really!? Thanks!!

Predator: BRB [cybertalk for "be right back"] . . . I'll go and call him.

. . .

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