By by Chris Cooper- Managing Editor - chrisndl@bellsouth.net

Be aware of who your children are talking to

Although the Internet is a helpful tool for children, child predators use it to locate their victims.

A survey conducted by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children revealed that one in seven youths between the ages of 10 and 17 has received unwanted sexual solicitations online.

The survey also indicated that one in three children have experienced unwanted exposure to sexual material on the Internet.

Parents may believe that their child would tell them about such experiences, but surveys have found that most online sexual solicitation and unwanted exposure to sexual material are not reported to parents.

The Internet makes it easy for predators to locate and communicate with potential victims. Predators seek victims in chat rooms, networking sites like MySpace, and other areas of the Internet.

Despite all the different blockers parents can purchase for their Internet to protect their children nothing is more helpful than good old communication and keeping a watchful eye on your child's Internet activity.

This is the second story in a four part series on sexual predators and how they can get to your children and what to do if they succeed. This edition will focus on Internet safety and how the sexual predator can get to your children through the Internet.

Identifying the sexual predator

When your child tells you they are going to get on the Internet and check on one of their many possible social connection sites, parents need to know what they are getting on and who they are talking to.

Don't just take your child's word for it. You may hear the following: