Help Protect Your Child From Sexual Abuse Online
Preventing online sexual abuse of children is a critical concern for parents. It is crucial for parents to educate themselves on emerging technology and create a safety plan for their home. Here are some practical strategies to help protect your child from online sexual abuse:
Monitor Online Activity: It’s important to regularly monitor your child's online activities, including the websites they visit, their social media interactions, and the people they communicate with. Use parental control software and privacy settings to limit exposure to harmful content. Make it a point to know what your child is viewing on phones, tablets, and computers, not just when they are at home, but also at friends’ houses. This can include interactions via email, webcams, instant messaging, social networking sites, peer-to-peer sites, text messages, and picture exchange applications.
Encourage your child to use the internet in shared spaces like the living room, where you can easily monitor their online activities and interactions. Visibility can prevent dangerous or inappropriate situations from occurring.
Model Healthy Online Behavior: Set an example for your child by demonstrating responsible and safe internet usage. Show your child how to use technology in a respectful and appropriate manner. Vocalize the precautions you take and establish firm, clear guidelines regarding online usage. Make sure to model these guidelines and emphasize to your child that there will be specific consequences for violating them.
Be Alert to Behavioral Changes: Pay attention to any sudden changes in your child's behavior, mood, or online habits. If you notice something concerning, communicate with your child and consider seeking professional help if needed. Be sure to keep an eye out for inappropriate behavior or contact with adults or older children. Younger children might not be as cognizant of these behaviors and are subsequently less able to protect themselves. Maintain an open line of communication with your child. Encourage them to talk to you about any uncomfortable experiences or interactions they may have had online.
Establish and Respect Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries on internet usage, what sites are appropriate, and when and how they can use the internet. Emphasize the importance of reporting any suspicious or uncomfortable encounters. If anyone is disrespecting the boundaries you have set within your family, an adult should remind them of the rules that have been put in place. It is crucial for children to understand and believe their “No” will be respected, even online.
Educate Your Child: Teach your child about the potential dangers of the internet, including online predators, inappropriate content, and the importance of not sharing personal information, such as their name, address, school, phone number, and photos online. Discuss the importance of not accepting friend requests or engaging in conversations with strangers online. Encourage them to only connect with people they know and trust in real life. It’s also important to teach your child how to communicate respectfully and responsibly online. Teach them the importance of not engaging in cyberbullying or sharing inappropriate content.
Report Any Sexual Abuse: Parents should report inappropriate online behavior involving their child when they observe anything that could potentially harm or exploit their child. It's essential to act promptly and report to the appropriate authorities or platforms when your child comes across sexually explicit content, adults posing as children, cyberbullying, financial exploitation, harassment, threats, or violence. Ensure that your child understands the significance of reporting any uncomfortable or inappropriate online interactions to a trusted adult immediately. Let them know they won't be in trouble for reporting such incidents.
If you suspect or know any sexual abuse is occurring, report it immediately. If someone does not speak up for the victim, the abuse will never stop.
Resources:
Preventing online sexual abuse requires a proactive and informed approach. Engage with your child, provide education and guidance, and establish a safe digital environment for them. Collaboration between parents, schools, and communities is vital in keeping children safe online.
Trees of Hope offers prevention guides for teens that can help them to understand and prevent sexual assault. Royal is a teen girl’s guide and Saint is a teen boy’s guide to sexual abuse prevention and body safety. Each includes a parent guide to facilitate conversations with your teen.
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse, Trees of Hope offers resources and groups for all ages. Thorn (for teen girls) and Nobleman (for teen boys) are free guides for healing from sexual abuse.
If you are over 18, we recommend the healing study for adult men and women. Check out the healing resources and studies for adult survivors offered online and in person by Trees of Hope.
