Investigators: beware of Internet predation
BY VICI PAPAJOHN Gulf Breeze News vici@gulfbreezenews.com

Teens tend to think they are on top of all there is to know about using the Internet and web safety, but the Florida State Attorney's Office wants to make sure they truly understand the potential perils.

Kristen Klein, Regional Victim Services Specialist, and Dana Morris, assistant attorney general, medicaid fraud control unit office of the attorney general, conducted four seminars for the students of Gulf Breeze High School last month to better inform them.

As the students filed in, they could be heard commenting that they already knew everything about the web, and said things like "This is a waste of time," and "we could teach these guys about the web." Though the kids came in smiling and cracking jokes, insinuating that they knew all there was to know about the topic and more, they left more sober.

Morris revealed many true-life stories to the teens, complete with testimonials from real victims, and court testimony from convicted felons and predators about just how dangerous and apparently benign "chatting" with a "friend" could become.

"Attorney General McCollum wants all of us to enjoy using the Internet but to be aware of some of its hidden dangers," Morris detailed. "The Internet has become the new hunting ground for predators and, in many cases, the conclusions to these criminal investigations have been chilling."

Edgy video segments that played much like a music video captured their attention, and a power point that detailed reallife arrest stories quieted most of the crowd and apparently sent a chill down the backs of even the most seasoned web user.

"That freaked me out," a ninth grader said as she watched the power point, "that guy that raped the girl seemed so normal. I would have thought I was safe, too."

Morris detailed ten points for caution during the presentation:

Internet predators will make any "promise" necessary to lure minors outside of their homes.

Internet predators often present themselves over the Internet as being someone they truly aren't.

Internet predators have been known to create false identities attractive to minors to tempt teens on the Internet to share inappropriate images of themselves.

In criminal cases local to Florida, Internet predators, after arrest, were discovered to have been previously prosecuted sex offenders.

Some Internet predators will use the chat rooms available in on-line games to casually target their victims.

Internet predators come from all ages, races, and occupations.

Be careful what images you place on the Internet because they cannot be removed.

Minors who meet off-line risk assault, abduction, disease, pregnancy or even death.

Minors can unknowingly provide too much personal information if they aren't careful. This information can lead internet predators straight to you and your family.

Inappropriate images that a minor might send to someone on-line today could end up harming their reputation or chances for advancement in later years.

Morris warned the teens that predators often journal conversations over time, gathering information each conversation that seemed safe individually, but as a whole was revealing enough to identify the teen and make them vulnerable.

For tips on safe internet surfing, parents, students and educators are encouraged to visit the Attorney General's cyber safety website at http://www.safeflorida.net/safe surf to obtain valuable information about staying safe while online. The SafeSurf children's page includes several entertaining and educational games that teach Internet safety.

The teen SafeSurf page offers tips on safeguarding personal information and avoiding dangerous situations. It also has a link to stories from teenagers who were victimized on the Internet and a link to the Cyber Crime Unit's MySpace page.