The Internet can be a wonderful thing. One can work and do research, play games, catch up with old friends and meet new ones from other states and countries from across the globe. Many sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Livejournal and Teen Matchmaker allow people young and old to get together, chat and have a good time.
Unfortunately, just as when you go out to the bars, clubs and even the shopping mall, there are those out there that seek to exploit this form of (what should be) fun. Like in real life, most people you meet on the Internet are good, honest hard-working men and women and fun-loving young kids who just want to relax after a long day at work or school and just have some fun. Yet there are those out there that prey on these individuals selfishly by luring them away from their safe-haven to exploit them.
Take Justin Williams, a 24-year-old Navy Officer. He had sworn an oath to protect our country by sea from those that wish to harm our citizens and destroy our freedoms as well as those of our allies. But he had broken this oath when he went online with full intentions on seducing a 14-year-old girl. They had talked and they agreed to meet up at her home. He actually had driven from his Rhode Island home to Connecticut, stopping along the way to buy condoms.
Fortunately, this was fully staged as that there was no real 14-year-old girl and officers were waiting at the home to arrest him. He is currently being held at a $100,000 bond. The purchase of the condoms had shown fully his intentions with what he had believed to be a minor.
He was not on Dateline's To Catch a Predator, but this is what the show is all about. They have specially trained people who join MySpace and various chat room programs. They do not single anyone out. The predators go to them. Like the children caught in these crimes, the impersonators go to these chat rooms looking for someone to show them what sex is all about. Real kids are naive, but extremely curious. That does not mean they should be exploited and shouldn't have to live with this for the rest of their lives, but these adult men and women predators do not care and are simply looking to fulfill their own selfish and sick desires.
They are not to be pitied. They walk into these traps by full will. There are many dating sites out there they could go to, as well as singles bars or perhaps they could get their friends to hook them up. They do not choose this. Instead, they go to these chat rooms looking for a cheap thrill.
"Predator's" staff works very hard to keep everything with the legal limits. Any consequences that follow are fully at the fault of the men and women caught on this show. I feel sorry for the families that they must witness it, but that should be taken up with the individual him/herself. But the majority of my sympathy is reserved for the poor kids that simply hadn't known what they were getting into.
MySpace is always working to protect the safety of their members, but they can't be held responsible for those that slip through the cracks. They do what they can, but some of these individuals are smart and know how to get around MySpace's protective features. The only thing they can do is play catch-up and close these holes as they're found. The parents also hold responsibility, but again, not entirely. What MySpace and the rest cannot cover, so the parents ought to assist. Keep up on what the kid does online. Monitor the messages and friend requests. Put in a password only you know so when she wants to get on, she'll have to ask you to put it in so you'll know when she's online so you'll have a heads-up. As an added bit, keep the page private so only friends can see. And remember the basic Internet rules: No personal information. Don't put up full name. Don't give out phone numbers. Nothing. Even pictures should be monitored or restricted from being put up altogether.
Be safe. Have fun and surf responsibly.
Source: http://www.wfsb.com/news/15012608/detail.html