How do you deal with an online predator

[emilyrose197377]

I need some advice. How do you deal with an online predator? Do you call the police and file a report? or does that apply because it is on online. I appreciate any help.

[fje90]

Absolutely report it to the police- most police forces have a special unit to deal with online predators.

[emilyrose197377]

Ty for the advice. I will call them tommorrow.

[emilyrose197377]

It has been happenning to me also. I replied to a post and it reappears after I replied to it. Refresh helps me sometimes.

[tigger_gal]

How do you deal with an online predator?

First off, getting involved with someone on line is always taking a chance..
You can be any one you want to be at a computer.
Secondly The only way you can actually report this is:
Do they follow you physically?
Do they call your home?
Do they call you at Work?
Do they know your family?
Do they know your friends?
Have they threatened you?
Have they pme'd, emailed, and sent you off line messages that are threatening?
have you revealed personal information when you felt you could "trust a person." ?
Do they know where you live?
Dose your profile give out personal info?
Do you list your city and state?

These things are a no no and must be advoided at all costs.

most boards are open to the public.. when you post any one any where knows all about you, because you have posted personal info.. they may not be anything to it, other then just asking questions about what you posted..


Under the guise of anonymity, people are more likely to take risks online without fully understanding the possible implications.


people who are most vulnerable to online predators tend to be:

new to online activity and unfamiliar with "Netiquette"

actively seeking attention or affection

rebellious

isolated or lonely

curious

confused regarding sexual identity

easily tricked by adults

attracted by subcultures apart from their parents' world

If this person you are refering to is on a sight you frequently visit then why not block them.. refraine from iniating any posts that might refer to this person.. or any thing personal about yourself..

[ICNDonna]

Much as we would like to think the internet is a "safe" place to be - after all, we're sitting in our own homes or work places - we do need to be cautious.
First of all, never share personal information (address, phone number, Social Security number, credit card information, etc.) on any message board.

If someone on the internet does find your phone number and contacts you away from the internet, hang up! If you have caller ID, note the phone number. If you get another phone call from the same number (or if you feel it's the same number), contact your phone company so they can follow up.

If you have been physically threatened and feel someone knows who and where you are, by all means call your local police department. Be sure to have times, etc., written down so you can share the written information with the officer who responds. If you've had threatening phone calls, share that information as well.

If you have received threatening emails, print those and give to the police.

If threats have been made on a message board, by all means report them to the Administrator of the board involved, as well as reporting to law enforcement and phone company.

Donna

[icnmgrjill]

Emily,

Please remember that evidence is required. You have to be prepared to produce copies of anything that you feel is threatening you to the web site owner AND, if you choose, the police.

As yet, you haven't give me a single copy of anything that I can use to possibly help you. If someone is emailing you threats, please forward them to me so that I can try to help. If someone is PM'ing you with offensive words, please copy those over to me. I'm always available by phone too.

I am aware of what happened on the other website (Not the ICN) yesterday and have, after several hours working with that website owner, have identified the individual (aka dorkbrain) involved. Luckily, that webmaster gave me evidence in the form of emails that she had also received that were threatening. You've got to step forward too and be prepared to show us anything that can help us identify the perpetrator.

Also... please understand that stalking should not be overinterpreted as someone who just posts that they disagree with you. Tigger's response that defines stalking is very good.

Jill

[Dixiefireball]

I must agree Cindys profile of a stalker was GREAT!!! Thanks Cindy for posting this information everyone needs to know this. I'm also going to make a copy of this info for my children to read since they are fixing to be allow to use more of the net. (I still don't like this idea, but people and my husband tell me I need to cut them a little bit of slack. boy is that hard.) I'm going to give them my desk-top, but going to go in and block alot of site. My dad is bring me home a lap top that he had gotten and had fixed for me. (second handed, but I don't care I'm just glad to get a lap-top.)

[traceann]

I agree gals, you can't be too careful - and yep, thanks Cindy for putting the definitions on it, so people have a good idea about what to watch for etc. I don't blame you Rhonda, I would use one of those parent-type programs, that you can control everything! ;)

[Flowerchild1978]

Everyone has great ideas.

[creatingkarma]

Rhonda, do you have Norton? That's what I use when my kids are on the net. You can stop them from going to all the "bad" places. I have mine set to where they can't go to message boards or chat rooms or any adult sites. Places like Myspace.com & Zanga.com, I had to manually type in as a no-no for them. It has sure helped a lot & made me feel a lot better about letting my kids on the net! It's soo scary out there & online predators are a major concern when it comes to my kids!

[Dixiefireball]

i did have nortons but it want be long it will be out-dated and I will have to get another one. :( I believe the one I have was dated back to 2003. They already sent me a notice I needed to buy another one. (go figure) I'm going to do something for sure before I turn it over to them. that is for sure!!!
Never can be too careful when it come to are darlins we can't replace them.

Thanks
Rhonda

[ICNDonna]

For Rhonda: Just a hint --- the computer for your children should be in a part of the house where you or your husband can walk by and see what's on the screen occasionally. The stories I've been reading about children and internet problems have been where kids have computers in their bedrooms behind closed doors.

Donna