| Let's face the facts. Children are no longer as safe as | | | | dangerous people and that is why it is so important |
| they used to be. They are just as much at risk for | | | | that they check with you if they ever encounter a |
| violent and traumatic crimes as adults are. | | | | stranger. |
| If you don't agree with this I urge you to open your | | | | 3. Teach your children the places that are private to |
| eyes and turn on the news or do a search on the | | | | them and encourage them to let you know if |
| Internet for crimes against children. I did and 3 | | | | ANYONE ever touches them in places or ways that |
| MILLION results were returned. Everything from | | | | you have deemed as bad. More and more children |
| statistics to actual news stories to prevention and | | | | become victims to people they know and trust so |
| support groups for families of child victims. | | | | you much teach them what is wrong and right of |
| I just read a story about a seven year old little girl | | | | any person they come in contact with. |
| who was on her way home from school when she | | | | 4. Teach your children about 911. Help them |
| was separated from her group and was abducted, | | | | understand emergencies by giving specific examples |
| raped and thrown into the trash like a rag doll. Her | | | | and make sure they understand it is not a toy. |
| body was discovered just hours later and some | | | | 5. With the Internet becoming such an everyday |
| months down the road so was her killer. The mother | | | | thing, teach your children about Internet safety and |
| was interviewed and still visibly shaken and emotional. | | | | also the dangers that are there. Tell them what |
| She noted what a coward he was, that he couldn't | | | | information they are and are not allowed to divulge |
| even look in the face of the mother of the innocent | | | | to people they do not know. Install computer |
| child he murdered. | | | | monitoring software on computers your children use. |
| These stories sometimes make headlines and often | | | | You can use it to block websites that are |
| times do not. That is why it is important as parents | | | | inappropriate for your children, and also check to see |
| and caregivers of children that we teach these little | | | | where they are going online, among other features |
| ones about safety and empower them to protect | | | | to protect your children from internet child predators. |
| themselves. | | | | 6. Set clear boundaries regarding where your children |
| Here are 6 things every parent should teach their | | | | are allowed to go outside of your home with out |
| children: | | | | you. |
| 1. They are never, under any circumstances, | | | | As parents we must stayed informed about who are |
| permitted to go anywhere with any person unless | | | | children have contact to and are exposed to. Use the |
| they check with you first. If they are not able to | | | | free resources online that show you exactly where |
| check with you then the answer is no. | | | | predators live and even list their offense. Listen to |
| 2. The age old stranger danger should always be | | | | your children and take any accusation or concern |
| taught. Warning your children that strangers could be | | | | seriously. |