An online predator is defined as an adult internet user who exploits vulnerable children or teens, usually for sexual or other abusive purposes. They try to lure younger kids into having conversations with them on the Internet with the intentions of causing the victim harm in some way or form. Predators certainly are not created on the internet, however this gives them much greater access to potential victims. Children are most vulnerable because they may not be aware of what is happening, they are more likely than most to access a website that has explicit material. It is the parents job to make sure that their children are surfing the internet in a safe manner.
Parents should monitor what their children are doing on the web, however this can be difficult and not always entirely effective. There are numerous laws and acts out there that were made to protect children from these predators on top of this. There have also been shows such as “To Catch a Predator” and a websites like www.familywatchdog.com that have been created to open the eyes of the public and spread awareness to these types of predators. These current laws that are in place can protect children to a certain extent, but will never fully protect them . When a child is on the computer without supervision they essentially have unlimited access to any website, they can chat with anyone, and they can view any content. There are laws in place, but people always find ways around laws. It is all up to the parents to teach children that they should never talk to strangers on the internet or else the child could be vulnerable and give into this. We do not think that any additional laws are needed because the group does not think the chance of them working is very high. Predators will work around these laws in order to access the children.
The group and I believe that familywatchdog.com is a great website, it may violate a person’s privacy, however a family moving into a new neighborhood deserves to know who is living around them and how safe their children will be. In our opinion, the show “To Catch a Predator” is helpful in the sense of opening people’s eyes and showing them how extreme online predators can be, but it is violating in some ways. The person is exposed to the nation when they are on this show and they are arrested. Their parents, spouses, and other family members are able to see them. These predators are monsters, but as a person everyone has certain rights and these should not be violated.