An estimated one in seven youths aged 10 to 17 are solicited sexually over the Internet each year, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Technology, particularly blogs and Internet social sites, has changed everything about safety training in schools.

Something your child says that is as innocent as, ‘My sister and I spend a lot of time together. I pick him up every day at 2:30 p.m. and we walk home together’ can land your children into trouble.

If there’s a sexual predator out there he knows there are two kids who will be walking home alone from school. It may not sound like much to kids, but to the predators out there, it’s a lot of information.

Many school district programs focus on middle-school students who are starting to learn about the world in more detail and need more safety tools.

All you can do is keep drilling that message over and over again into a kid’s head that there are certain things you don’t do and why you can’t do them.  Give them the knowledge, andthe kids will have some tools to work with.

But the danger isn’t just on the Internet.

An estimated 90 percent of rape victims under the age of 12 know their attacker, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. And more than 300,000 children are abducted each year by a family member.

You can weave those concepts into regular instruction so not to alarm kids or make them afraid. They have to understand that there’s danger and we don’t know where the danger is sometimes, but we have to pay attention.

SAFETY TIPS

Tips for parents

- Know your children’s friends.

- Know the parents of your children’s friends.

- Keep computers in a common room of the house and talk about safe Internet surfing. Discuss the dangers of the Internet with your children.

Tips for children/students

- Take your parents’ advice.

- Always let someone know where you are.

- Don’t go out alone.

- Listen to your conscience. Avoid situations that don’t feel right.

- Find an adult or trusted friend to talk to if you feel unsafe.

- Don’t try to confront an offender.

Holiday school breaks might mean hours of unmonitored time indoors for children–the perfect opportunity for kids to find trouble on the Internet.  Parents need to be technically savvy to protect their children.  Use filters or parental controls to limit access to particular sites.  Talk to your kids and monitor where they go online. 

Safety tips should be posted by the family computer and might include:

1. Never give out personal information, including name, address, phone number, school or parents’ names.
2. Ignore mean-spirited messages or those with vulgar words.
3. Never share your password with anyone–not even you best friend.