As the world introduced the internet and it’s communication abilities, this new technology impressed the world. In fact, it impressed so much and grew so quickly, the internet now holds 13 million youths in the world in their grip...most of whom are chatting online...For years now, pedophiles have been using the Internet as a meeting ground to exchange names, tips and precautions to take when attempting to kidnap kids and try to lure them into their deadly schemes. However, to the average pedophile, the internet provides a rich hunting ground of innocent and naive children, obsessed with online communication. It’s never been so easy to lure kids and teens alike over the internet using the modern communication system.

Although there is some enjoyment and harmless activity across the internet, all sites and attractions aren’t necessarily intended for a child’s enjoyment. Hidden beneath all the fun and games, lays a side of the internet you never knew. Thousands of pedophiles use the internet as a base to exchange tips to capture kids and see it as an opportunity to sexually harass them using the freedom of open chat rooms.

A survey made be the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2001, states that 90% of teens and young adults have gone online at least once and 74% have internet openly used in their home. And, according to a survey conducted by FamilyPC in 2000, 1 in 4 kids participate in chronic chatting over the internet. Just who these kids are chronically chatting with is the concern. Looking for ways to express their independence and maturity, kids can become obsessed with talking to strangers and keeping this secret from parents and guardians. All of this mysterious behaviour could explain the jump of missing children across the nation. Per year, 750 000 children are reported missing, that’s nearly 3 children every 2 minutes.

Unfortunately, children these days don’t realize, and often don’t want to hear about the safety concerns involving personal security. They still freely give out their name, phone number and address to strangers without realizing the dangerous consequences. Adults should realize this, and monitor all their actions on the computer. A study made by NOP research group discovered that in a survey taken of 4 million children, 1, 160, 000 of them answered that they would freely give out their home address if asked, 14%, roughly 560 000 of them, would give out their e-mail address if asked. With numbers like this, the most disturbing aspect is that only 34% of adults (parents) monitor their family’s actions over the internet.

But the most consistent target to pedophiles, seem to be teenagers, especially girls, in the 12 - 19 year old age bracket. In fact, 61% of all rape victims are younger than 18. Take for example, Maria Martinez, a 17 year old teenager from Phoenix, Arizona. In 1990, she advertised for babysitting job over the radio. A man responded, he picked her up the following morning and Maria has never seen since. This shows you, you can never be too cautious. Whether it’s over the internet or the telephone, there is always a danger, but there is always a way to avoid it...if proper precautions are taken.

Never has there ever been so many opportunities for pedophiles to communicate so freely between themselves and their victims. Overall, these pedophiles target the 12 - 19 year old age group, especially females. While the safety of the children remains a main concern over the telephone line, the security of the kids seem not to be a concern since only a third of adults monitor their family’s actions over the internet. The internet had seemed to be a new window to the future, but in reality, it is only a criminal hideout used to kidnap and lure the kids in our communities. The danger is everywhere. Even now, whether you be in your father’s office computer, or whether you are in your bedroom on your own computer...pedophiles are watching and, without proper care being taken, you are in danger of being stalked.