RTE PRIME TIME covered the topic of online sexual predators, exposing the generic locations of potential sexual offenders along with shortcomings in Ireland's cybercrime division. The provocative episode also pointed to a glaring lack of understanding by children's advocacy groups, parents, and government agencies of the technology involved in meeting and grooming potential victims. Blocking young people from clever child molestors is not an easy task because as Prime Time showed, evil can easily skip across the internet and into quiet bedrooms where pre-teens are nurtured and groomed for real world contact. I work with young teens and more than 10 percent of them admit to having met up with an adult stranger in real life after chatting online. According to Common Sense Media, one-third of teens are considering an encounter. If the cross-talk on Twitter is any indication, the RTE telephone operator and producer's email account both received ample feedback about a story that needs further development. This is one area where education should play a leading role in preventing hurt.
Common Sense Media rates media used by pre-teens and young students. It offers hands-on ready-made units that might be suitable in Transition Year.
Direct link to 5-minute audio: http://www.insideview.ie/files/predator_boo.mp3
Following Derek Baird's Delicious links for more related information.
Previously: "Safe Saucy Sexting", September 9, 2009.
