Since its creation in 2005, the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit has arrested 250 people, all accused of sexually propositioning children online or sending pornographic or nude photos and videos.
Corbett explained that online predators work in many different ways. Some try to arrange meetings with kids, while others draw satisfaction from sending nude photos or sexually explicit videos to children.
"Computer and cell phone technology makes it fast and easy to send messages or images, and many of the suspects arrested by the Child Predator Unit began sexually graphic discussions during their first online conversations with children," Corbett said. "The best defense for parents is to regularly discuss Internet safety with their children and actively monitor their online activities."
Corbett encouraged parents to considering the following family Internet safety tips:
• Know what children are doing online.
• Understand the websites they use and who they are communicating with.
• Review their MySpace and Facebook pages or other online profiles.
• Make sure children do not give out personal information, like their names, ages or addresses.
• Talk to them about the dangers of face-to-face meetings with strangers.
• Encourage children to report any inappropriate contact involving strangers, including sexually suggestive comments or attempts to arrange face-to-face meetings.
• Do your own research - use Google or other Internet searches to see what your children, or their friends, may be posting online.
Suspected Internet predators can be reported to the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit using the "report a predator" link, located on the front page of the Attorney General's website, or by calling the Child Predator Hotline, at 1-800-385-1044.
Internet safety tips and other information are available in the "Operation Safe Surf" and "Just for Kids" sections of the Attorney General's website. Organizations interested in materials, speakers or presentations, can contact the Attorney General's Education and Outreach Office at 1-800-525-7642 or via email at education@attorneygeneral.gov
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Since its creation in 2005, the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit has arrested 250 people, all accused of sexually propositioning children online or sending pornographic or nude photos and videos.
Corbett explained that online predators work in many different ways. Some try to arrange meetings with kids, while others draw satisfaction from sending nude photos or sexually explicit videos to children.
"Computer and cell phone technology makes it fast and easy to send messages or images, and many of the suspects arrested by the Child Predator Unit began sexually graphic discussions during their first online conversations with children," Corbett said. "The best defense for parents is to regularly discuss Internet safety with their children and actively monitor their online activities."
Corbett encouraged parents to considering the following family Internet safety tips:
• Know what children are doing online.
• Understand the websites they use and who they are communicating with.
• Review their MySpace and Facebook pages or other online profiles.
• Make sure children do not give out personal information, like their names, ages or addresses.
• Talk to them about the dangers of face-to-face meetings with strangers.
• Encourage children to report any inappropriate contact involving strangers, including sexually suggestive comments or attempts to arrange face-to-face meetings.
• Do your own research - use Google or other Internet searches to see what your children, or their friends, may be posting online.
Suspected Internet predators can be reported to the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit using the "report a predator" link, located on the front page of the Attorney General's website, or by calling the Child Predator Hotline, at 1-800-385-1044.
Internet safety tips and other information are available in the "Operation Safe Surf" and "Just for Kids" sections of the Attorney General's website. Organizations interested in materials, speakers or presentations, can contact the Attorney General's Education and Outreach Office at 1-800-525-7642 or via email at education@attorneygeneral.gov
