Kids and the Internet: Are they safe?
By Alex Davis Endeavor News

Sixteen-year-old Ashley begins chatting with Lance, a 22-year-old guy, on the Internet. She thinks it's cool that she has hooked up with an older guy.

Days later, she shares her life story. He says they're soul mates. They exchange pictures and the relationship is blossoming.

She agrees to meet him secretly at a secluded location.

But just who is "Lance" and what does he really have in mind?

Parents, educators and others who are concerned about young people may not realize the perils that kids are facing every day, now that Internet chatting and browsing have become such a standard part of growing up.

These dangers and others will be spotlighted on Monday, May 5, during a community seminar, entitled "Cyberbullying and Internet Safety," to be held at 6:30 pm in the Cameron County High School auditorium.

Retired teacher Chuck Favata will outline steps that can be taken to protect young people from being solicited and bullied through chat rooms, instant messaging and social networking web sites, such as MySpace and AOL Instant Messenger.

"Conversations via the Internet can appear to be so non-threatening that kids lower their guard and forget all the safety rules they've learned," vata told Endeavor News. "The predator might play on the victims' egos by flattering them and being empathetic to their problems."

Using computer screen shots, Favata will demonstrate how even the simplest piece of information can help a predator to track a student's location.

"Parents face a challenge," he said. "It all comes down to responsibility and ownership of technology."

He pointed out that more than 70 students report having received a message or comment from a stranger. And almost 90 percent of kids who were victimized by online predators first made contact with the offender in an internet chatroom or through AOL IM.

"Most parents don't like to get involved in the technology end of their kids' behavior, but they must," Favata emphasized. "Let one kid come home with alcohol on his breath and the parent will take action. That same attitude must apply when a kid is online."

The program is sponsored by Communities That Care and Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. It isn't recommended for children under age 13.

Separate programs aimed toward internet safety are scheduled for students in grades five through 12 during school hours.

Everyone attending the May 5 session may enter a drawing by Cameron County PROSPER to award door prizes, such as amusement park tickets and gas cards.