|
Page 2 of 2
Predator: Guess what? He said okay. He's gonna buy you the game! Child: Wow, really? Thanks. I can't believe it!!! Predator: Where do you live? Child: I live in NJ. What about you? Predator: I live in New York. So does my uncle. New Jersey isn't far. Child: Great! Predator: Is there a mall near you? We can meet there. Child: O.K.. I live near the GSP Mall. Predator: I've heard of that. No prob. What about Saturday? Child: Kewl. Predator: We can go to McDonald's too if you want. We'll meet you there at noon. Child: O.K.. Where? Predator: In front of the computer game store. Oh! My uncle's name is George. He's really kewl. Child: Great . . . thanks, I really appreciate it. You're so lucky to have a rich and kewl uncle. Saturday arrives, and the child goes to the mall and meets an adult outside the computer game store. He identifies himself as "Uncle George" and explains that his nephew is already at the McDonald's waiting for them. The child is uncomfortable, but the uncle walks into the store and buys the $100 game. He comes out and hands it to the child, who is immediately neutralized and delighted. Stranger danger warnings are not applicable. This isn't a stranger - he's "Uncle George," and if any proof was needed, the computer game is it. He gets into Uncle George's car without hesitation to meet his friend at McDonald's. The rest is reported on the 6 o'clock news. It's disgusting. It makes us sick to our stomachs, but it happens. Not very often, but often enough that you need to be forewarned. (Several hundred cyberpredators are caught and arrested each year.) Even once is too much, though, if it's your child. Knowing how they operate and the tricks of the trade will help you teach your child how to avoid being victimized. Learn how to keep you and your children safe online at http://www.wiredsafety.org
No one has commented on this article.
|
