The internet in all of its infinite wisdom and glory allows people to access information once available only from a local library, physician, or encyclopedia. The World Wide Web easily lives up to its name by connecting the world from all corners of the earth with a double click or two of the mouse. People can talk to people in other countries, send pictures to family and friends, and even make phone calls, all from the safety of their home. Yet, there is a dark side to the internet. Lurking in the darkness of cyberspace are sexual predators, watching and waiting for their next victim, an innocent child to log on the internet. Through our use of the internet, families are now allowing complete strangers to enter the home with out giving a single thought as to who our child maybe talking to in their bedroom.

In cyberspace, places like myspace.com are growing in popularity daily, and have become America's newest way to socialize. The internet opens doorways to new friendships that were never possible before the invention of the World Wide Web. As a parent it is imperative we know who our children are hanging out with and who they consider as their friends, at school, at home, and online. More importantly how much personal information does your child reveal online with out realizing the dangers that lurk in cyberspace?

The internet provides a sense of anonymity, which is defined as the state of being unknown or unacknowledged. This feeling of being invisible provides users with a false sense of security. Lulling users into feeling that no matter what information is shared it is ok, because they do not know who I am or where I live. Children are naive; they want to believe what people tell them. Sadly, the friend they thought was their age and sex, is instead an adult, often times a sex offender, who has found their next victim from the easy chair and comfort of his own home. Daily we are hearing stories of children who are sneaking out of their homes and schools to meet their new online friends. Sadly, children daily are being listed as missing and exploited children or endangered runaways when they fail to return home safely.

NBC's Dateline has done a series of programs that catch men in the act of meeting what they believe is a 14 year old girl for sex. Most of these men when confronted by datelines reporter and cameras deny he knew the child was 14 years old and denies he was there for sex, despite dateline having the online conversations printed out word for word. Many are registered sex offenders. All of the men knew the child was underage and yet all of them still brought up sexually explicit topics, arranging to meet the child for sex. Some men bring condoms, alcohol, presents or even rope or duct tape to the meeting. Dateline has been working with state and local authorities during these programs, resulting in numerous arrests and convictions.

Talk with your children; teach them the dangers that lurk in cyberspace. Teach your child to never give out personal information. Show your children how revealing even a small amount of personal information can lead to a stranger right to your child. Set up guidelines for each child who uses the internet. Tell them what to do if they are solicited in a sexual manner on line. If possible keep a copy of the IM or email and send it to your local law enforcement. Listen to what your child is telling you.

Place your family computer in the kitchen or living room, so your child feels comfortable sharing with you what is going on in their cyberspace. Use a password on the computer, so children cannot use the computer unless an adult is home. Do not let the false sense of anonymity lull you or your children into inviting complete strangers or sexual predators into your home. Remember, there is a dark side to our world on the World Wide Web.

For more information on protecting your children from online predators please visit the websites provided below.