Cyberspace Predators:
The Source of Danger for Children
Crimes that are committed by the use of computers are known as cyber crimes. Without the proper equipment and thorough knowledge about how to handle these crimes, it’s hard to catch cyber criminals because they don’t leave behind physical evidence. There are a variety of different crimes that take place through the internet. Yet child pedophilia is one of the easiest crimes to commit because it doesn’t require any in depth computer knowledge. Pedophiles are taking advantage of the advances in computer technology by utilizing innocent children. Because of this, “they can openly express their feeling regarding the adult-child sex relationship and graphically describe details of their fantasies with children” (McShane, Williams). Therefore it is up to the parents to become more informed about these crimes and monitor there child’s internet activities so that they can prevent this from happening.
According to Dr. Phill, one in four children in chat rooms on the internet will be solicited by a predator. These pedophiles seek a target-rich environment for finding their prey, and the internet has become their flocking ground (Protect Your Children). To be considered a pedophile you have to experience an intense sexually arousing fantasies, or behaviors involving sexual activities with a child generally around the age 13 years or younger over a period of at least six months (Deirmenjian 1). There are three main characteristics that pedophiles look for in a child which are, children who are less experienced with the internet and online communication, vulnerable children who are lonely and bored searching for friends, and children who are having problems at home. Children who develop relationships through the internet with strangers aren’t aware of the danger that can come along with it. They feel that since there in the comfort and safety of there own homes that nothing serious can happen because there not face to face with these people which is not the case. There not informed about the conniving strategies predators use to manipulate them until it happens.
Pedophiles fall into two models of pedophilia in cyberspace which is a trust-based seductive model and a direct sexual model (Deimenjian 1). In the trust-based seduction model the pedophile gains the child’s attention by slowly obtaining the child’s trust and then enticing then into participating in sexual activities. Gaining a child’s trust isn’t hard task for predators. Being that they know children are vulnerable to peer pressure, the pedophile may claim to be the same sex as the targeted victim to gain trust. They may also pretend to be the same age as the victim and portrays to share similar interest and experiences. In return the child gets comfort and feels important and wanted which can also boost their self esteem. A real example of a trust-based seductive model is:
“A 51-years-old Seattle man tricked a 14-year-old Westchester County girl through an online chat room by posing as a teenage girl. After winning her trust and forging an intense relationship, he confessed to her that he was a man and began making sexual overtures. Eventually, he wrote that it was time for them to meet and flew to New York where he rented a motel room. By chance, the girl’s mother saw them together at a local shopping mall and notified police” (Jefferson).
In the direct sexual model the pedophile is more straight forward with there approach rather than slowly gaining the victims trust. He lets the victim know in advance his sexual intentions. The trade of pornographic images usually takes place in this model. Pedophiles use internet bulletin boards to trade child pornography with others and also to get a list of children who have had further experience with pedophiles (Deimenjian 2). A real direct sexual model case involved a:
“Convicted murderer on parole after 30 years in prison allegedly solicited investigators on the internet who were posing as a mother to let him molest her two pre-teenage daughters. Agents of the multi-agency Sexual Assault Federal Enforcement task force initially contacted him through the mail and then corresponded with him for eight months via the United States Postal Service and chat rooms on the internet. He allegedly sent child pornography to the fictitious mother believing that the mother would give it to the children to see what was in store for them. HE had even warned the mother that police routinely conduct stings using the internet but that he was less wary about using the postal service (Monzingo B2).
Pedophiles lure after young children because they want someone they can control and be inferior to. They also get sexually aroused from the pure innocence a child portrays. Rather than being with someone in there own age group and on the same level as they are, Pedophiles are attracted to immature children who will believe and do anything you tell them. Until recently, “mental health professionals have been hesitant about providing treatment for pedophiles because identifying the effective treatments for pedophilia has developed slowly” (Pedophilia). Also clinicians who undertake treating pedophiles are often seen as supporting pedophiles rather than trying to stop molestation from reoccurring. However, the first issue with treating pedophiles is understanding exactly what it is.
“While all pedophiles seek sexual gratification with children, not all people who molest kids are true pedophiles. Often a child abuser acts less from genuine libidinousness than from rage, impulse or a simple desire to dominate another person. In such cases the urge can be satisfied by sexual behavior directed at any age” (Kluger). Once the two are distinguished then the treatment process can begin.
Most pedophilia treatments consist of a three step process. First a therapy session takes place where the patient learns various techniques to help control and prevent there sexual interest. In the second step the patient practices the techniques learned in step one on audiotape outside of the session and then brings it in for other group members and the therapist to hear and feedback on it. This shows that the patient is properly learning the techniques. Third, the patient reports how he has executed the techniques outside of the therapy setting as needed whenever he feels a need to carry out a pedophilic act ( Pedophila). Although a pedophile successfully completes therapy, this doesn’t exactly mean there cured. A pedophile could have a relapse at anytime or could have even been faking the whole time he was going through the treatment process.
Being a victim of pedophilia affects a child psychologically and physically. Victims who are sexual abused may fell as if it was all there fault, develop low self esteem and have feelings of worthlessness or shame (How Pedophiles misuse Internet). It can also affect them as they get older by having problems trusting people and forming serious relationships.
To ensure that your child is not a victim or threat to these predators, parents should always monitor their child’s internet activity. They should never leave a child in a room with a computer unless it doesn’t have internet access. The computer should be placed in the community part of the house such as the family room facing at an angle that can easily be seen. Personal information should never be given out through the internet. If necessary only give out state identification because pedophiles or even someone trying to commit identity theft could easily get hold of this information with the right computer knowledge. Children should never upload there pictures over the internet. Once the picture is on the internet you can no longer control who sees it. Anyone can easily save your picture onto there computer and do with it as they please (Phill). Parents should also educate themselves and there children about the dangers of pedophiles and what to do if ever greeted by one.
Some signs that parents should look for if they suspect that their child is a victim is just identifying abnormal behavior such as being reserved , grades that or usually high are now dropping, and constantly on the computer. Pedophiles make children feel as if there the most important person in the world so typically they don’t feel threatened by them. They look at them as close friends, someone they can confide in. If your child always clicks off a site when you’re around or wont let you see what there working on them there most likely doing something they have no business doing. Some pedophiles may even send gifts to the house or call them. If this happens and parents aren’t aware of who it is and the child is hesitant about the situation then authorities should immediately be contacted (Phill).
Pedophilia is a major issue that needs to be taken seriously by parents because it could happen to any child who has access to the internet. Pedophiles use the internet to lure their victims because it’s a convenient way of communication between the victims and trade of pornography if done carefully. Blocking certain sites isn’t enough to protect children from pedophiles and it doesn’t work. Parents need to consider all precautions to ensure their child’s safety.