PREDATORS
The web has an unfair reputation with many for being home to so many predators. News programs make it seem like you can go anywhere online without running into a predator. The danger is real but it is exaggerated too. It is best to be informed.
It is best to understand how to protect yourself and/or those you love. This site: Be Web Aware has good information about how to prevent, detect and protect yourself from predators.
Safe Passage is another award winning site that can help as well.
Cyber Safety in the Classroom is a good place for teachers to visit.
Adults also can fall prey to predators. You don’t hear a lot about it in the news, but sometimes a person can be taken advantage of horribly even if they are experienced.
Some tips for adults:
1. Be wary of people who ask you for money or things.
2. Be very wary of people who ask you to lie for them.
3. Do not give out your personal financial information to any one person. Only do that with a secure transaction for which you will receive a receipt.
4. People misrepresent themselves all the time. Do your research. Get real names and locations and check people out before you give your mind or heart or time to a stranger.
5. The Knight of Kindness has a post for people who feel they are being stalked. If this is a concern for you, read it and you will have some good tips on how to make it stop because often predators do not give up even when you figure them out.
The web is not full of predators but to say they do not exist is irresponsible. Get informed and do not give up your place online due to the fear of predators. You have every right and reason to be here and for the most part, unless you are communicating with someone online, you are safe.
The exception to this are those predators that send notices through emails. Sometimes they look just like pages from places you trust. If any place asks you for credit card information or personal information in an email, contact that place and ask if it is real. Most times if not all, these types of requests are fakes. DO NOT give your information out without doing your homework.
