Child Internet Safety Definitions

Your Guide to Understanding Child Internet Safety Terms

Gain awareness by understanding these common Internet Safety terms

  

Internet Predator 

• An adult who uses the Internet to exploit children.
•  It is usually for a sexual purpose. 
• They frequent chat rooms and social networking sites looking for children they consider an easy target. 
• Targets boys and girls of all ages.
• Once they have found their target, they start the "grooming" process.

 Child "Grooming"

• The process of manipulating a child and befriending them in order to draw them into a sexual relationship.
•  Includes praising the child, giving them money and/or gifts, showing them sexual images, touching them and seeing how they will react, harassment, threats, and any other aggressive behavior.
• Can involve grooming the parent by gaining their confidence.
• A Federal offense.

Chat Rooms

• A place where people go to communicate by sending text messages. 
• The user can choose a "shared interest" room.
• Used for talking with multiple people, although, private chats are available.
•  Chat rooms may or may not be monitored. 
• Some messaging services allow users to exchange photos, often sexual, which they may be prosecuted for.
•  Users also choose chat rooms to experience cybersex.
•  Predators frequent these chat rooms looking for their prey.

Online Identity or User Names 

• The social identity that we use for online communication.
• Real names can be used or we can remain anonymous.
• May be stolen by other users.
• Can follow us around for a long time, so protect it.

Social Networking Service

• An online service or site for people to interact and share information and interests.
• A place to connect with friends.
• Users can interact with email or instant messaging.
• Uses profiles with privacy controls.
• Can be used in personal promotion.
• Increasing in popularity as a great place for business promotion.

Cyber Bullying

• Harming other people through use of the Internet.
• Involves instant messaging, email, chat rooms, web sites, forums, or digital messages.
• Warning signs include: withdrawal from family and social activities, child is often anxious or sad, declining academic performance, and being upset after being online or using their cell phone.