News stories regarding kids and online safety have always caught my attention. That is one reason I decided to focus on educating parents about online safety. I believe one of the most important ways to keep kids safe online is to educate parents. Parents cannot protect their kids if they have no idea what they are up against.
I have begun asking parents questions about their kids online activities. Several parents did have parental controls but many parents did not. Parents were surprised by the inappropriate material that their kids have access to without any content management (parental controls). In addition, they did not realize how easy it is for a “web predator” to find personal information and befriend children by pretending to be someone else.
Recently, I came across this Twitter account and was initially very disturbed by what I read. It caught my attention and made me realize the online dangers my kids and their friends face every day. It was certainly “eye opening” to read “tweets” that might come from a “web predator”.
This is was an actual Twitter account…
Name: Web Predator
Location: Everywhere…
Bio: Are you watching what your kids are doing online? Don’t worry…I am.
Below is a sample of @webpredator’s “tweets”…
You think your kids are harmlessly playing computer games – but I’m out there. Playing with them.
Don’t worry about talking to your kids about online safety – I’ll talk to them.
Working on my next victim…
Do you know what private information your kids are putting on their blogs? I do!
Hey I saw your Facebook pic – you’re cute! Do you have any pics in your bathing suit???
Teens don’t tweet … sure they do. that’s why I’m on here!!!!
More than 40% of teens name their school or city on blogs or social networks (according to NCMEC – National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)
By the way, I did get permission from the account holder to post their information and use some of their tweets. It seemed to be an account set up to educate others about the mind of a web predator or a cyberbully. In addition, they posted resourceful links to educate parents. From what I understand, this @webpredator account caused some controversy on twitter. I don’t know all the background behind the controversy, but it has been taken down. I know some of the tweets were disturbing, and some of those tweets led me to the decision to educate parents. Sometimes disturbing things can cause you to take action.
You can help educate yourself and your kids on internet safety with our Internet Safety Program for Families.
Cammie Moise
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You are right, this is disturbing, but a great wake up call! We do need to be aware of how they think and how they try to get access to our kids.
Thank you for sharing great information!
You made a fair point, but have you thought about how it might affect other people? I’m not saying you’re wrong, I just need to point out that there’s more than 1 side to this story.
hurricane news – I agree with you, and I like the way you pointed this out. Thanks.
My first interactions were educational. I soon realized how this account could be very upsetting to anyone that has had to deal with a webpredator and that did break my heart.
I did notice that the account has been taken down (that could be the reason why).
As I reread the post from another view, I didn’t like the way some of it sounded. Thanks for pointing this out.
Educating parents to keep our kids safe is the reason for this site and as I have to touch on some unpleasant subjects, I will be more careful about how it is posted. Sometimes when you have a certain goal in mind, you miss how it can come across to others. I appreciate your feedback and hope that those that follow this blog will help me and hold me accountable.
Cammie