It was an eye opening time at the Internet Awareness Workshop. Our two Redmond Police Officers did an amazing job of sharing with us the reality of online predators and just how they go about contacting and establishing relationships with our children. Chat rooms and social web sites such as MySpace are key avenues for them to meet young people. Some key stats and insights that were shared:
1 in 5 children are sexually solicited or approached over the internet in a one-year period of time.
Between the years of 2002 and 2003 the number of websites featuring child pornography more than doubled.
Underage females are targets of solicitation at twice the rate of underage males.
Between 1998 and 2000 online pedophilia cases dealt with by the FBI rose over 400%. Yes, that is 400%.
Bottom line for parents is not to shut off the internet and go live in a cave. It is to educate yourself first and then educate your children on internet safety.

The most important thing to remember is for you to stay tuned in to what your children are doing on the internet. Check their sites, emails and instant messaging. Establish some clear ground rules…and stay informed.

We are putting together an order for software that will allow you to better monitor the activity of your computer and its users. If you are interested in purchasing this software at a discounted price of $65, please visit one of the INTERNET tables outside the gym or in the commons for more information. You can also visit www.spectorpro.com to get educated.

Antioch Youth Ministries is excited to walk alongside the families and parents of the young people in our community and church. We hope that you find this information helpful and will use it to better protect your family.

Key sites to help you in your journey to Internet Safety and Awareness:

www.NetSmartz.org
Created by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Age-grouped materials for K-3;4-8; and 9-12
Pledge sheets for family and children

www.ncmec.org
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Online safety quiz for adults and children
Online terminology listing

www.livewwwires.com
Based on a true story, the MISSING game offers kids ages 11-14 a chance to watch as a child, Zack, strikes up a conversation with an online predator. Players learn the 6 steps to luring and use their investigative skills to help find Zack.

www.wiredsafety.org
Created by Perry Aftab - leading National lawyer on Internet Safety and Laws.