'No privacy' key to keeping kids away from Internet predators
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

Staff photo by Barry Halvorson Sgt. Paul Aleman discusses Internet safety at the Dawson School Gym.

The message offered by Sgt. Paul Aleman on the best way parents can protect their children from Internet predators can be summed up by the policy he employs with his own teenager.

"There is no privacy under my roof," he told an audience of about 30 people, mostly parents, during Tuesday's program on Internet predators held at the Dawson School Gym. Aleman is a member of the Texas Attorney General's Cyber Crimes Investigation Unit.

Throughout his presentation, Aleman stressed the need for parents to be aware how the children use the Internet as well as where and when.

Among his general recommendations were to establish family rules for Internet use and locating computers in common or high traffic areas of the home so use can be monitored.

The area of most concern, Aleman said, was the use of social networking sites, saying predators can lurk in the chatrooms trolling for victims. He said the ages most frequently targeted are 14 and 15, which is when many youngsters are starting to really explore the Internet as well as being socially awkward.

"They are making the transition from being in eighth grade where they are at the top of the heap to being freshmen in high school where they are at the bottom," he said.

"If they aren't getting the attention at home and are being picked on at school, they'll go to the Internet to find validation."

In an interview, Aleman said it is important for parents to sit down and discuss the Internet issues with their children like they would any other potential health risk.

"Tell your children what not to do," he said. "Give them the tools to use the Internet safely and explain the dangers. Talk to them about not giving out their name and personal information, about the risk of meeting people off-line. And when you're done, sit down with them and to create their social networking site and know their passwords."

He said as the technology continues to spread, the danger will increase.

"There is not as much faceto face meeting among children. They don't go to their friends house or call on the phone. But they're actually more socially active with Internet chatrooms and text messaging. And that exposes them to more."

Aleman also reminded parents there are more ways to access the Internet than just the family home computer.

Among those are using a thumb drive with public access computers like those found at libraries and in schools to bypass the safety software installed on those machines. Aleman said he was taught that particular trick by an 11-year-old during one of his presentations.

Other access points can include cell phones.

"Do you just pay your bill automatically," he asked. "If your children have a cell phone, get a record of the calls. You won't get names, but you will get numbers and times."

He said while most local calls can be explained away, if your child is talking or texting to other area codes, or in the early morning hours, it can be a sign they are communicating with a potential predator.

"Ask for an electronic or hard copy record print out of the statement," he said.

The new video games can also be used as an Internet access point as well as more sophisticated hand held games such as the PSP system. He said his own son was using an open wireless Internet port in a neighbor's home to access the Net with his PSP II unit.

He also said parents can also make an effort to monitor their children's access when they visit friends by asking those parents to supervise and monitor computer use.

"We're parents - It's our job to be nosey," he said. "Network with the other parents. A few years ago other parents might have objected, but things have changed. You can start the cycle by calling other parents and soon other parents will be calling you with the same request." He said parents need to work together because of how information is shared by their children.

"They might think they're invulnerable and not posting personal information," he said. "But they don't have control over what is sent to them or what their friends are posting."

As an example, he said a site without personal information might still have a message referring to attending a cheerleading camp and include a school shirt or uniform while another message might include a first name. That can narrow down the search and the predator can then go to a school function, identify a vehicle off a window sign and follow the youngster home.

"The predators will be patient and do their research."

Finally, he said parents need to learn how Internet communications work.

"You need to learn the lingo," he said. "They'll use numeric symbols to communicate. And there is Leetspeak."

Leetspeak is a form of communication using initials and other symbols to communicate on the Internet in ways that aren't understood by the general population.

For information on Leetspeak and other related articles, see stories on Page A2.