To Catch a Predator: Part One

There are all types of predators out here. For the sake of our well being and that of our families, responsible Americans need to be on the look out for all types of predators at all times. This "To Catch a Predator" (borrowed from NBC) blog series will discuss matters of predators and prey.


Part One: Online Child Predators

These online predators are really sick...I watched the last installment of "To Catch a Predator", and it only reminded me that when my son gets older, he will NOT be using the internet alone for a very long time (he's just a toddler now).

I see it this way: internet access is so vast a territory, its like letting your child loose in the big city by himself or herself. If you honestly think that your child is old enough, competent enough, and responsible enough to run errands in the big city by themselves and still make it home on time with the agreed upon agenda accomplished, then maybe that child can be trusted alone on the internet. However, not many kids younger than 16 could pull it off, either in the real world or in cyberspace. Most elementary school and junior-high school students just aren't grounded enough to handle such exposure without falling into curiosity and temptation.

So I will be monitoring my child's internet access until he can legally drive. If I am overprotective for that, then oh well. But I tell you what, my baby is not going to be lured into a private chat with a sicko molester because I wasn't there parenting like I should. I hope Dateline has helped many underexposed and undereducated parents realize the extent of their responsibilities concerning children and technology access.


What do YOU think?

I.C. Jackson
http://northstar.icjackson.com