According to the FBI, there are 1 million sexual predators online every day.  Where would a sexual predator go to find new prey? Where all the kids hang out of course, MySpace.  MySpace has quickly become the preferred way of communication among teenagers. Parents may not be aware of this new world of “friend requests” “messages” and “comments”.  These are all forms of communication on MySpace.  This also allows anyone to be anyone behind a computer.

·         Once someone confirms a friend request on Myspace that person has access to all the photos and information that is posted on a profile.  A predator posing as “Jenny from Georgia” that is now “friends” with your child can view whatever they have posted. This also provides an open line of communication for manipulation or other ulterior motives on may have.  A predator will take the time and build rapport with a child and then over time begin to move the conversations to the subjects that interest them.

·         Instant communication is possible on Myspace.  The is a way for people to communicate in real time. The problem with this is it does not allow time for consideration of consequences.  With an E Mail one has the time to carefully consider their response.  With instant messaging a child may respond or be pressured to respond quickly with information they would not have normally offered.

·         MySpace provides a forum to post many pictures.  This has become a major file sharing community.  Not only could one determine a location from the pictures that are posted but explicit content can be shared as well.  The user profiles provide spaces to give information about locations. If one was trying to find out where someone was they could easily view the posted pictures and narrow down the locations.

·         Personal information is not easily safeguarded. Because children are communicating under the guise of friendship they are not as guarded with personal information as they would normally be.  This could lead to the offering of a phone number, home address or even plans to meet somewhere.  The possibilities are endless with the information sharing abilities. Another danger is the sharing of passwords or banking information.

The internet is a very useful “Information Super Highway” but it can also allow evil doers right into your child’s bedroom.  For those parents that think that it won’t be my child or that their kid is smarter than that; The FBI estimates that one in seven children are abused in some way online every day.  Next time you pick up your child from school or a soccer game look at all the children around and think. . . one in seven.