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INTERNET
SAFETY FOR HEALTH
CARE PROVIDERS | | The
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) is advising that the
Internet is rapidly becoming a powerful tool for child predators. They report
that child predators exploit the high degree of anonymity associated with the
Internet, and enjoy regular, unsupervised electronic access to children. By their
estimate, one in five kids will be sexually solicited at some point over the Internet.
Further compounding the problem, many kids do not report these incidents because
they are afraid that they will lose their Internet privileges. |
The
NCMEC is encouraging the use of the CyberTipline
as a centralized repository and investigative tool for allegations of Internet
stalking, enticement and abuse. CyberTipline
is maintained by the NCMEC, and any concerned adult or child can submit a report
through this site. After the report is submitted, an Exploited Child Unit (ECU)
Information Analyst reviews the report and assesses the information. Additional
information, which may include a site visit, review of a reported web site or
contact with the complainant, is collected in an effort to add additional value
to the information submitted. The final report is then prepared and made available
to federal law enforcement agencies who review the reports daily. Local law enforcement
agencies are contacted directly when a victim, perpetrator or incident has been
identified in their locality. |
Unfortunately,
with the exception of "Traveler" cases where the victim is lured across state
lines, these cases are not being prosecuted aggressively. In fact, law enforcement
"stings," and reported or aborted attempts are not resulting in convictions. The
NCMEC reports that judges appear to be taking a "no harm, no foul" approach, which
has resulted in few convictions. In light of this fact, the NCMEC and other law
enforcement agencies are advocating the aggressive use of prevention technology
(e.g., blocking software, browser/ access controls), as well as public education.
Therefore, the attached "General Information" and "Relevant Web Sites" may be
shared with parents, educators and other concerned adults in the community in
an effort to alert them to the risks, and identify prevention strategies. |
As
an example, the following item was sent, unsolicited to children on the internet.
(bold type has been added to highlight certain items):
"Let's
get to know me"
Full Name, Nicknames,
DOB, Hair color, Eye color, Personality, Siblings & Their Ages, Location,
School, Future School, Best/Close Friends, Online Best Bud, Pets & Their Names,
Job, Things you like to do, Things you collect, Best Advice, Words or Phrases
You Overuse, A Non-Sport Game At Which You Excel, A Non- Sport Game Which You
Enjoy, Dream Car, Coolest Experience In Life, Stupidest Thing You Ever Did, Fav
Thing To Do In The Summer, Fav Thing To Do In The Fall, Fav Thing To Do In The
Winter, Little-Known Talent You possessed, Special Skills or Talents, Song That
Couldn't Be Improved Upon, Special Awards You Have Won, Character Traits
You Look For Most In A Girl/Guy, What You Want To Be, Future Goals, Religion (if
any), Church (if any), Groups/Singers you enjoy, Fav color, Fav Food, Least Fav
Food, Funniest person(s) you know, (or wish you knew), Fav Vacation Spot, Fav
Sport, Non-sport Games You Enjoy, In and Around The Stereo, Fav "Toy", Fav Book,
Books You Like To Read, Fav Cartoon Characters, Fav Actors/Actresses, Fav Movie(s),
Fav Animal, Fav Tv Shot, Fav Day, Favorite Month, Fav Holiday, Fav Part of Newspaper,
Fav Toothpaste, Fav Store, Fav Thing To Wear, The worst thing you despise, Do
you like to talk on the phone? Do you believe in reincarnation? If you found your
best friend was gay/lesbian, what would you do? Do you consider yourself a good
listener? Would you rather be short or tall? Would you rather be overly happy
and poor, or overly wealthy and unhappy? Would you consider you relationship
with your parents bad, okay, good, or great? Do you like to dance? Are you
shy to ask someone out? What would be the first thing you'd do if you ruled the
world? Do you think boys or girls have it easier? If you had a round trip ride
in any time machine, where would you want to go? If you could be invisible for
one day, what would you do? Do you like Adidas, Nike, Fila, or, Reebok (or other)
best? If you could change your name, what would it be? If you were in a theater
and someone was crying, would you laugh? Have you ever thought you were going
to die? What's the hardest thing about growing up? Have you ever gone skinny
dipping? Would you eat a bowl of live crickets for $40,000? If this Friday, you
could do ANYTHING you wanted what would you do? What's the worst word you know?
If there would be one thing about you that you could change, what would it be??
Have you ever wanted to run away? What's your worst fear? Do you sleep
with a stuffed animal? Have you ever felt you were in love? Who would you be with
if you were stranded on an island? Have you ever felt lonely? What will
you be doing on the day of graduation? The one online person you have a crush
on is?
!!!!ok send this to other people and the one who sent it to
you!!!! |
Aside from
the fact that this unsolicited e-mail from an unknown person is requesting far
too much personal information, embedded within the text are some troubling phrases
and questions. For example, "character traits" and "DOB" are both adult phrases.
In addition, the e-mail requests information about a child's relationship with
his or her parents, if they feel lonely, if they have ever wanted to run away,
and other problems they may be experiencing. This would be important information
for a pedophile who might be looking for vulnerable subjects to lure away and
exploit. Additional questions, while relatively innocent among kids, are more
troubling in light of the entire letter. For example, "If you found your best
friend was gay/lesbian, what would you do?" and "Have you ever gone skinny dipping?"
are relatively personal questions, and standout within the context of an introductory
"let's get to know me" letter.
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