A collection of sources to help protect parents and children
Terminology and tools in order to help protect you and your family
A list of helpful videos to help expose the reality of Internet crimes
In today's technological world, the Internet is a lifeline for most. While it has enhanced the lives of many, it also has made innocent people, especially children, easy targets for predators. The Internet has become a place where predators can reach innocent children without many of the risks of getting caught if they were to target them in person. Every year children are starting to use the Internet and computers at a younger and younger age.
Children are oftentimes trusting, naive, curious, and eager for attention, making them more vulnerable to predators who will target them online in order to take advantage of them. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, less than 5% of parents are aware of online sexual exploitation and even fewer think their child is at risk. It is important for parents, law enforcement and society as a whole to know of the dangers children face on the Internet and how to reduce the risks of being victimized.
Kids have exchanged messages with sexual predators
Children have arranged meeting with someone they met online
Parents allow kids to use the internet without restrictions
The National ICAC Task Force Program was created to help State and local enforcement agencies enhance their investigative response to offenders who use the Internet, online communications systems, or other computer technology to sexually exploit children. The program is currently composed of 61 regional Task Force agencies and is funded by the United States Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Predators utilize the Internet and social media applications to sexually exploit children.
There is a growing trend in which predators utilize the Internet & social media to request, produce, and obtain illicit images of children.
Child predators often create fake personas to communicate with youth for the purposes of sexual gratification and exploitation.
Parents, educators and the community have the ability to teach children how to protect themselves from online dangers and to be an active participant in their online activities. The SVICAC Vigilant Parent Initiative is geared towards educating the community, especially parents, on basic social media and technology how-tos, prevention, awareness, and knowing how to talk to their child about protecting themselves online. Technology and the Internet are not inherently bad and are necessities in keeping up to date in this generation, so long as they do so safely. Teaching kids how to password protect and maintain privacy online are part of parenting nowadays. The Vigilant Parent Initiative provides online safety training and the signs to recognize when a child may potentially be in danger on-line. We explore popular apps like Instagram and Snapchat via hands-on interactive learning as well as the vocabulary that may be referenced by your child. We encourage parents to start the conversation with their children early and to keep up with the latest trends. Fill out the form below to request a presentation.
"My husband and I attended a parent presentation from the SVICAC task force in March at our son’s school in San Jose. I am so incredibly glad that we attended that evening. Because of the education and information we received there, I truly believe that we saved our son from being a victim in a potentially very nasty situation." -Julie and Gavin Reid