Cyber stalking is just one of many threats you or your kids can face online. Just like stalking in real life, cyber stalking makes it possible for the stalker to harass their victims online. And it's made possible by the increasing accessibility of the Internet.
Access to Internet is universal; it crosses all borders, social, economic, racial, cultural and sexual. Part of its appeal in the social sense is its anonymity.
Users create their identities based on what they want to portray to their interactive audience. This idea of virtual identity works in several ways.
Stalkers or predators can present an identity that may appeal to children in order to gain their trust and form a relationship.
Once they form the relationship they then hope to gain personal information from the child. This presents all sorts of problems for parents, as supervising Internet use at all times is not realistic.
Cyber stalking is closely linked to stalking in is characteristics and while its is primarily non physical it can be just as terrifying.
It is in fact an extension of stalking and what may begin as online harassment may manifest into a far more dangerous pursuit. Stalking both online and off are characterized by a relentless harassment and perusal of the victim.
Cyber Stalkers have often had some kind of relationship with the victim and the stalking may be the result of the victim breaking off the relationship. Other cases of cyber stalking have developed through relationships solely online.
The Internet provides immediate access to personal information making it easy for potential stalkers to target victims.
Cyber stalking largely consists of harassing behavior in the form of:
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electronic messaging
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unsolicited threatening emails
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virus emails, chat room harassment
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abusive forum posts and sexual harassment
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posting personal information such as phone numbers email, address
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posting and or creating sexuality explicit images
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hacking into accounts
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subscribing them to porn and unwanted advertising
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spamming and at the extreme end, death threats.
For victims pursued by a person known to them it becomes even more dangerous.
Cyber stalkers often want to punish their victims for some kind of real or perceived hurt. These disturbing activities can easily escalate into physical encounters.
When it comes to cyber stalking children are particularly vulnerable. They do not have the social maturity to judge situations therefore; they become the targets of stalkers and predators.
Children generally feel safe and at ease in their homes and they often develop a false sense of security when meeting people online. This is what cyber stalkers and predators rely on when luring a child.
Harassment of this kind can be extremely damaging and disturbing for a child. So as a parent you need to take all the necessary steps to ensure your child is safe when using the Internet.
First you need to recognize that you can’t watch them 24 hours a day therefore much of their internet time will go unsupervised.
That being said you next best option if you can’t be there is Parent Control Software.
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Your computer should be set up in a family area where there will be a steady stream of traffic.
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Avoid putting a computer in your child’s room.
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Monitor their activities online; this is imperative for children of all ages. Do this in person by getting involved in your child's virtual world.
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You should also monitor them when your not there with parent control monitoring software. For more information visit - www.pctattletale.com
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Educate your children in Internet safety and notify authorities immediately if you or your child is receiving unsolicited, threatening emails.
Through a combination of education and monitoring, you effectively make your children less accessible to dangerous cyber stalkers.
Your children will be able to embrace the opportunities of the Internet in a safe and productive manner.
For more information on parental control software and how to keep your child safe while online, visit: http://www.pctattletale.com