Internet Safety: Signs to Watch Out For If Your Teens Are Talking to Online Predators

Children growing up in the digital age are exposed to a lot of technology for their enrichment. However, creating and establishing a digital footprint may also open up their internet safety to many risks.

In this day and age, it's natural for parents to worry about their teens becoming a target of undesirable individuals online, especially when the news is filled with stories of victims of online predators.

Michell Busch-Upwall, an education specialist in Utah, told KSL TV that the statistics of kids victimized by online predators is a concern. If internet safety for one in five children is under threat, what can parents do to protect them?

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What are the warning signs that you have to watch out for to determine if your teens are talking to predators online?

1. They start to pull away or hide if you're nearby.

Predators can easily convince their victims to keep their communications a secret, especially if they are talking about inappropriate things online. So, the child may end up hiding or pulling away if they're on their phones and a parent is nearby. They avoid getting caught or cornered by mom or dad because they don't want to get a reprimand.

2. They withdraw from activities that they used to love to do.

Withdrawing from activities that they used to enjoy is another form of pulling away and it's the online predator that forces the teenager to isolate or separate from their friends, family and activities.

"[Predators] want to be that one and only person they trust," Busch-Upwall said. Hence, the teenage victims attempt to change what they do and whittle out their circle of friends.

3. They get cash, packages, gifts and other deliveries often.

According to the Child Rescue Coalition, this is a classic sign that your teen is in contact with an online predator. Predators try to win over their victims with generous gifts and the kids fall for the "kindness" that their friend has shown them.

It might help to check who or where these gifts are coming from if there is an address on the package or if there are traces of it on the kids' computer. If you're able to access the computer, however, you might even see more evidence such as chat exchanges with a sexual connotation between the teen and the predator.

4. They are constantly getting calls and texts from someone the parents are not familiar with.

Most parents who are engaged in their children's circle and online activities are familiar with names or numbers that contact them. However, if a random name or number pops up or if calls are coming in at the oddest hours, casually ask your teenager about this new friend.

If they hesitate to give out details, then it could be a red flag. According to Kids Live Safe, if the teen starts to get defensive or nervous when probed, a sit-down and a long talk about internet safety may be warranted.

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