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Cyber 911 Tiplines 
Are you worried about privacy and security online? Could you be a victim of Identity Theft? Online safety
Parry's Internet safety guide for parents
There's a lot of information we give away online, just by forgetting to click on privacy settings, or by giving more information than we have to. There are three other ways our children can innocently give away information about themselves - by posting personal profiles, by filling out contest and registration forms, and by building a Web site. There are many databases that could list your child's address, phone number, and e-mail address.
Here's a mock chat room discussion that my law enforcement friends and I agree is pretty realistic. Imagine a predatorial pedophile sitting and taking notes on this child, and using this information to lure them later.Would your child fall for this? Most, unfortunately, would.
Child: I hate my mom! I know it's her fault that my parents are getting divorced
Predator: I know. My parents are getting divorced, too.
Child: We never have any money anymore, either. Every time I need something, she says the same thing: "We can't afford it." When my parents were together, I could buy things. Now I can't.
Predator: Me too. I hate that!
Child: I waited for six months for the new computer game to come out. My mom promised to buy it for me when it came out. She promised! Now it's out. Can I buy it? Nope. "We don't have enough money!" I hate my mom!
Predator: Oh! I'm so sorry! I got it! I have this really kewl uncle who buys me things all the time. He's really rich.
Child: You're sooooo lucky. I wish I had a rich and kewl uncle.
Predator: Hey! I got an idea! I'll ask my uncle if he'll buy you one too. . . . I told you he's really kewl. I bet he'd say yes.
Child: Really!? Thanks!!
Predator: BRB [cybertalk for "be right back"] . . . I'll go and call him.
. . .
Predator: Guess what? He said okay. He's gonna buy you the game!
Child: Wow, really? Thanks. I can't believe it!!!
Predator: Where do you live?
Child: I live in NJ. What about you?
Predator: I live in New York. So does my uncle. New Jersey isn't far.
Child: Great!
Predator: Is there a mall near you? We can meet there.
Child: O.K.. I live near the GSP Mall.
Predator: I've heard of that. No prob. What about Saturday?
Child: Kewl.
Predator: We can go to McDonald's too if you want. We'll meet you there at noon.
Child: O.K.. Where?
Predator: In front of the computer game store. Oh! My uncle's name is George. He's really kewl.
Child: Great . . . thanks, I really appreciate it. You're so lucky to have a rich and kewl uncle.
Saturday arrives, and the child goes to the mall and meets an adult outside the computer game store. He identifies himself as "Uncle George" and explains that his nephew is already at the McDonald's waiting for them. The child is uncomfortable, but the uncle walks into the store and buys the $100 game. He comes out and hands it to the child, who is immediately neutralized and delighted.
Stranger danger warnings are not applicable. This isn't a stranger - he's "Uncle George," and if any proof was needed, the computer game is it. He gets into Uncle George's car without hesitation to meet his friend at McDonald's. The rest is reported on the 6 o'clock news.
It's disgusting. It makes us sick to our stomachs, but it happens. Not very often, but often enough that you need to be forewarned. (Several hundred cyberpredators are caught and arrested each year.) Even once is too much, though, if it's your child. Knowing how they operate and the tricks of the trade will help you teach your child how to avoid being victimized.