I Think I Know Who I'm Typing To

Conclusion:  Hazards and Prevention

Dangerous consequences are encountered when it comes to anonymity of cyber-identities and the Internet.  The case in point is relations between sexual predators and the innocence of children that are exploited.  Children are “seduced and manipulated by a clever offender and do not fully understand or recognize the potential danger of these contacts” (“A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety”).  In 2001, “89% of sexual solicitations were made in either chat rooms or instant messages” (“Sexual Predators Online”) and “1 in 5 youth (ages 10-17 years) has been sexually solicited online” (“Sexual Predators Online”.  Although sexual predators have many advantages in cultivating their pedophilia through communicating ideas, tactics, advice, and “avoiding law enforcement detection”, they can also be prevented.  Whether or not a child wishes it, a parent can become involved in Internet use and watch that their child does not condemn themselves into the hands of a pedophile.  Law enforcement and organizations such as Perverted Justice, who “covertly exposes sexual predators”, are currently doing their best to rid the Internet of pedophiles who continually exploit children.  The Internet is to be taken with a grain of salt, but precautions must be taken when anonymity controls the judgments based on cyber-identities.

Printable Essay