Online predators are a problem in the digital world.Online predators try to establish a relationship with you through the internet in order to get you to provide them with information they need to take advantage of you.If you think you are dealing with an online predator, you should let your parents know.
Step 1: Suspicious requests or behavior should be recognized.
It can be hard to know if you are interacting with someone who has bad intentions.One way to keep yourself safe is to look out for signs that the person you are interacting with is an online predator.If someone you interact with online shows behavior that is similar to a predator, consider cutting off communication.It's possible that someone may be an online predator if they ask you to use the internet multiple times.Sending pictures or videos to someone you're not comfortable with is never a good idea.A sign that you are dealing with an online predator is when someone gets angry with you because you were unable to be online.It's a sign that you're dealing with an online predator if someone you are speaking to frequently brings up sex or sexually related material.
Step 2: There are signs that your child is being targeted by an online predator.
There are a lot of reasons why children are targeted by online predators.If your child is being targeted by a predator, you should keep an eye on their internet usage and behavior.If your child suddenly becomes secretive about their online activities, it may be because of their interactions with an online predator.If your child receives gifts in the mail from someone you don't know or receive phone calls from people you are unfamiliar with, they may be interacting with a predator.If your child gets angry when they can't access the internet, that is a sign that they may be interacting with a predator.
Step 3: You should block the person from contacting you.
If you have been communicating with an online predator, you can easily block them from contacting you again.Look in the help section of the software or social media site if you don't see a way to block the person.You can block someone on Facebook by going to their profile and clicking on where it says you are friends.Clicking on a contact will allow you to block new messages from them.Users can be added to a "ignore" list on most chat sites.
Step 4: Change your screen name.
You may need to change your screen name if you can't block someone on the social media platform.If you use your real name in your screen name, it will be harder to find you.If you want people to know how old you are, don't include your age or date of birth in your screen name.
Step 5: You can contact the administrators of the website.
If a predator continues to find ways to contact you after changing your screen name and blocking them, try contacting the people that run the webpage you are on and asking them if they can assist.It is possible to prevent someone from contacting you with the help of forums.Inappropriate material is taken down and people who don't follow the rules are banned from most forums.Even websites that don't have moderators can give you help blocking someone or preventing them from reaching you again.
Step 6: Take action on your child's behalf.
If you have reason to believe that your child is interacting with an online predator, you may need to take action of your own.If you are concerned that your child may be interacting with an online predator, speak to them.Limit their access to websites and applications that allow them to communicate with people that you think are risky.Don't forget to check your children's phones on a regular basis.Inform your children that there are certain things they should look out for when dealing with people online.
Step 7: You should tell your parents.
When dealing with an online predator, the first thing you need to do is tell your parents.They can help you and make sure you are safe if you tell them how you met the predator.Tell your parents everything you know about your interactions with a predator.You should not leave information out because you are embarrassed.It's better to be safe than it is to save face.
Step 8: Talk to the predator.
If you start to suspect someone is an online predator, you should save copies of your conversations with them to be able to show law enforcement.Don't forget to save e-mails and messages in your social media accounts.Copies of conversations can be saved in other applications that don't store them.
Step 9: You can contact the police.
If you can't cut communications with an online predator by blocking them and changing your screen name, it may be time to call the police.There are law enforcement officials who specialize in dealing with online predators.Bring your conversations with you to the police so they can find the predator that is harassing you.Tell the police everything you know.It will be difficult for them to press charges if you lie to them, they will need to be able to put together a case against the online predator.
Step 10: Inform the police of the investigation.
Police officers are there to help, even if you are embarrassed to answer some questions about your interactions with an online predator.If you don't want your parents to be in the room when you talk to the police about your dealings with an online predator, you may ask them to allow you to speak alone.The police and your parents want to keep you safe.You may be able to prevent an online predator from harming others by cooperating with them.
Step 11: Do not lie to your parents.
You will most likely be asked to lie to your parents about your relationship with them or things that they ask you to do.If someone is asking you to lie to your parents, they may not have your best interests in mind.A real friend won't expect you to lie to their parents about the nature of your friendship.They may use lies to get you to tell.
Step 12: Accept no gifts or money.
While a friend may be happy to help you out when you're low on cash or give you a gift from time to time, they won't be giving you things without expecting something in return.If you want to mail gifts or money to someone else, make sure you know your address.If you don't want your parents to know about the nature of the gift, you can be blackmailed.
Step 13: Sending someone photos of yourself is not a good idea.
You should ask yourself why someone would ask you to send pictures of yourself.It doesn't mean that they are your age or even the person in the picture, if they offer to send you a picture in return.Sending someone pictures of yourself that you would be embarrassed to find out they shared with others is not a good idea.In exchange for pictures of the other person, do not send pictures.There is no guarantee that it's them.
Step 14: Sending money to someone you don't know is never a good idea.
You may be asked to send money to help a person you don't know who is going through a difficult time, or you might be sent money in order to free up funds with a guarantee that the money will be returned.After you transfer money to them, they will likely stop asking for money online.Don't send money to someone if they agree to send it back with interest or funding.This is a common internet scam.
Step 15: Don't give personal information to strangers.
They may want to harm you or steal from you.Information about you is required in order to succeed.Do not give out your personal information online.Do not give us your address or telephone number to people you don't know.If you meet someone online, never give them bank account, credit card or other financial information.
Step 16: Take precautions to protect your children.
If you are concerned about your children interacting with online predators, you can take steps to increase their awareness of the risks as well as others to help protect them.Make sure your children do not interact with people that they shouldn't.Privacy settings and parental controls on computers, tablets and smart phones can be used to limit access to websites that could introduce your children to predators.Children don't have privacy when surfing the web if the computer is in a common area.It will make them less likely to visit dangerous sites.