According to a news report involving the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, one out of seven children who browse the internet experiences some sexual solicitation of some kind. That means someone’s child within your immediate vicinity must have been approached inappropriately at least once when using the internet. Do not discount this threat as harmless since it’s online. Child sex offenders are very real and so is the danger they present. Here are 10 steps you can take to fight online child sex offenders and protect your child:

1. Know their M.O. and understand the threat.
There are plenty of tools and resources that authorities and private organizations use to combat child sex offenders and yet, even they feel that they could do more. This is because child sex offenders are aware of what people do and don’t do to protect their children.

To fight online child sex offenders, do some research and learn how these people approach kids. Learn the ways they do it so you are aware of what your child faces each time he or she goes online.

2. Educate your child.
Don’t think you can keep your child safe by keeping them in the dark about the threat of online child sex offenders. Once they know and understand what these perverts can do and are willing to do to get to them, they will understand why you’re being protective. It will also help make them aware should they encounter someone online who will approach them in an inappropriate manner.

3. Install software that will monitor your child’s use of the internet.
Remember that children can be very vulnerable and gullible. No matter how well we try to protect them, there will be times when they themselves try to reach out to others when they are emotionally needy or are undergoing tough times.

4. Set the rules about communicating with friends and strangers online.
Inform your child about what types of communications are appropriate and which ones should raise a red flag. Strangers or chatmates who are too friendly, solicitous or overly concerned may seem harmless but they could be online child sex offenders who are trying to seduce your child.

Tell your child to be extra careful about building friendships online. Not everyone may be who they seem.

5. Forbid your child to share his personal information.
To fight online child sex offenders, never allow your child to share personal information and details, such as his real name, home address, school or phone numbers. Even passwords can leave your child vulnerable so tell them never to share these things with people other than you.

6. Always view your child’s photos before he posts them online.
An innocent photograph in front of your house that shows your home number and street can lead an online child sex offender to your house. School logos, mascots, uniforms and other images that can be used to deduce your child’s location can also put him in danger.

7. Encourage your child to keep updated with the threat of online child sex offenders. There are online safety resources that young kids, adolescents and teens can use to help them decide what to do in case they encounter a child sex offender online.

8. Monitor your child’s use of the internet.
If you’re aware of where your child goes and what he does online, you can help deter any inappropriate activities. Should anyone try to threaten your child, you can immediately guide him on what to do.

9. Use your vote.
There are current and pending legislations that you should be aware of in your locality and state. Let your legislators know what you want them to do to protect your children and fight online child sex offenders. Involve your friends and family and let your neighbors know about the threat against young children. The more people there are who are aware of the problem, the more solutions will be offered to solve it.

10. Cooperate with the authorities and concerned organizations.
If you suspect that your child has had an encounter with a child sex offender online, report all these incidents to the authorities or groups such as the CyberTipline and the NCMEC, among others. You can visit their websites to learn how to file your report and access more information to help protect your child. In the fight against online child sex offenders, parents should be active participants and should immediately take action in case an incident occurs that threatens a child.

That says it all, very scary indeed! For more great content, information and stories like this, please Read the other 29 Top 10’s here!

Your Online Security Authority
Bill Wardell

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