eZine #42: Protecting your kids from Predators

July 28, 2017
- Online Protection
- Parenting

I remember when I was a kid, I could tell my Mom I was going outside to play and it was as simple as that. She may want to know how far I might go but other than that there weren’t really any concerns.

Playing in the street or knocking on friend’s doors were part of growing up when we were kids.

Things are VERY different now. Whether imagined or real, we are terrified for our children’s safety. We live on a cul-de-sac with a park at the dead end, and I still get concerned about letting my 11 and 13 year old go there alone. In fact, when we were looking for a house to buy, we would avoid the houses that backed onto a park – because what happens after dark in those parks doesn’t feel safe.

Or maybe you have heard of the giant child pornography ring that was taken down in 2013, and another in 2016.

Around here it seems like there is a town-wide alert every other week in our city telling us that someone tried to coax an underaged child into their car.

The world has changed, but the biggest element of change when it comes to protecting our children from predators is related to the Internet. Predators don’t have to try to pick up your child on the street anymore, they have learned to come into your house through the internet connection and build trust and relationships that way.

These things, in combination with the fact that many of us no longer have a community or “village” of people around us to help raise our kids, is creating an URGENT need for us as parents to be involved, engaged and intentionally equipping our children to recognize predators for who and what they are. It has also increased the demands on us as parents, we have to constantly be vigilant and aware of what our children are doing online and who might be influencing them.

Our resources this month are intended to get you on the right track with discussions and interactions with your children about the dangers of our world whether online or face to face. Our prayer is that they would help you find confidence and assurance in the fact that your children are equipped and aware, allowing your fear to subside as a parent.

Podcast 39: Sex Talk 5 – Stranger Danger: How to Protect Your Kids from Predators

Articles: “Parenting: Sex Talk Part 5 – The Top Ways to Protect your kids from predators”

Photo used with permission by: https://www.pexels.com/photo/girl-in-pink-shirt-close-up-photo-157053/