How do I keep my 11 year old sister safe from online predators?

[nwibracht]

She uses Facebook and other social networking sites and I want her to understand, but really understand the dangers that exist. I don't want to scare her but more important, I want her to believe me and be careful.

[☮allie♥]

hmm i wish i had someone like that (: well if i was you id just talk to her about it, and make sure she understands how dangerous it can be (:

[shelby ♥]

Well you have to be at least 13 to have a Facebook account. If they find out you are under 13 they will delete your account for safety reasons. Tell her the facts, show her proof (newspaper articles, tv etc). Hopefully she will learn, but in the meantime i suggest you delete her facebook account or block her from using any social networking sites until she is old enough.

[Iratepleasure989]

Why the hell is she on Facebook? The joining age is 13 years old and above for a REASON - because of the online dangers. You need to tell your parents and get her off of there immediately.

And I can't believe that any other social networking sites let an 11 year old on there. You seriously need some parental controls or monitoring program on your computer!

[zealousfifth956]

It's nice you want to look out for her. This should help you-
http://www.safekids.com/
It's really good. But remember, you're not always 100% safe on the web.. but we can do what we can to protect ourselves and make it more enjoyable.

[Lazy-assedmint091]

Show her some scary news stories. They always have an effect-you need to illustrate the fact that some nasty people out there will do ANYTHING to get to her.

It's really good that you're looking out for her

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11165576/

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/0...6130.shtml

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/parents...ators.aspx

[tashbat :)]

well make sure she knows you arent trying to stop her doing anything she enjoys but you want her to be safe. just warn her of the dangers, e.g. that you dont know anyone you meet is who they say they are. tell her not to give out personal info (tell her what stuff she shouldnt give out - phone number, address, email etc) and not to speak to people she doesnt know. and make sure she knows she can ask you if shes unsure or anything happens and shes not sure how to deal with it.

[angiec8420]

1. Learn the characteristics of online predators:
These are people who like to take advantage
of children and/or teenagers, people like your
sister.

2. Understand how online predators operate:
Most predators will pretend to be children or
a teenager. Someone who is the same age as
their victim, in your sisters case, an 11 year old.

3. Talk to your children about online predators:
Explain to your sister it is not safe to give out
personal information over the Internet. Never give
out Phone Numbers, Email Addresses, or even
Mail Addresses over the Internet.

4. Explain to your sister that if she wants to talk to
someone:
Always use a fake name, never a real name. Always
make up a fake screen name, and never reveal your
real hometown.

5. Install Parental Control Software:
Many ISP have Parental Controls installed to keep
your child from getting on any website you do not
want them on, in this case, your sister.

6. Monitor Chat Rooms and Websites:
Chat Rooms are the one place your sister could run
into a predator.You could also try inabling chat rooms.

7. Move your computer into the family room, if it's not
there already:
This is for extra monitoring, because not all parental
control software is foolproof.

[Couman]

The most important thing to keep in mind is that nobody can hurt you over the internet. You are 100% protected to start with. But every piece of information you give out makes it just a little easier for someone to find you in real life. So it only makes sense to guard that information very carefully.

And of course if you intentionally meet someone in real life you have given up that protection completely. That might seem too obvious to even mention, but the fact is that is exactly how most online predators operate. They convince people to meet on purpose. So it bears repeating, don't do that!