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Internet Safety
- Click here to review John Walsh's Teen Internet Safety Survey [PowerPoint needed]
Internet Safety is a vital and growing issue for all parents. In decades past, parents warned children of the common dangers that were blatantly obvious and indisputable, such as, "Don't play in the street or play with matches . . . Don't walk home alone in the dark, don't take drugs/drink alcohol, or drive with friends that speed, etc." Unfortunately, the Internet is not a danger that triggers a youth's "fear factor," as with some of the more obvious and tangible dangers in life. Children and teens spend time online experiencing positive communication with friends and family, which lends a false sense of security when approached by a predator who is behaving as if adoring friend. Children and teens are also easily manipulated emotionally when in the grasp of a skillful adult sexual predator. Kristin was an intelligent, compliant, responsible, loving and kind teen who said that she understood the dangers of sexual predators and strangers online after our discussions. Kristin understood intellectually, but was not prepared for the power of the emotional enticement that occurred with the written word and continuous contact with the deceitful sexual predator, Kiley Bowers.
The Internet sexual predator's impact on their victim has the devastating and powerful influence to deeply damage a child or teen emotionally and mentally. As Kristin verbalized her experience with her family and fully cooperated with the FBI, she shared details of her encounter and communication with Kiley Bowers in the 5 weeks before her death. Kristin revealed that most parents have a false sense of security when they install security software, blocks and passwords on their home computers. She said that teens are able to bypass the security features that most parents install, which included the school district computer block when Kristin was a sophomore in high school. Her computer was taken away for nearly 6 months in 2005 when a MySpace account was discovered that was not allowed. She stated that then she often utilized the high school computers in the advanced art department to communicate with the sexual predator Kiley Bowers. As he continued to entice, manipulate and groom Kristin, she was drawn to him and away from her family and the clear boundaries that she was taught.
The precautions that apply to Internet Safety for children are constantly changing with growing technology. It is wise to keep the family computer in the center of the home rather than in a child's room, but understand that children can and do go online in the middle of the night or when you are out of the home. Until technology in the near future makes current Internet safety suggestions obsolete, keep the family computer locked in a room or remove the modem when you are not able to be in the same room with your child while they are online. It is impossible to see everything a child or teen is writing or viewing even if in the same room, but the constant interruptions will help to avoid any continuous grooming process by a predator from occurring.
When the Internet can't be locked away or monitored due future advanced technology, which includes prevalence of wireless laptops, readily available Internet connected locations, Internet capable cell phones, and the increasing numbers of savvy tech teens . . .Think before spending time in conversation with a stranger online and remember our Kristin. The emotional impact of our horrifying and overwhelming loss due to our daughter's contact with a 28 year old Internet sexual predator will hopefully transfer our cries of grief to a resonating voice of caution for parents and vulnerable children and teens.
SOME GENERAL INTERNET SAFETY GUIDELINES
- Place your computer in an open room with the monitor facing out. This allows you to see and control what is occurring on the Internet.
- Educate your children about the Internet, both the positives and the potential dangers.
- Teach your children that Internet safety means never giving out personal information over the Internet.
- Share your Internet child safety experiences, both good and bad, with others.
- Teach your children to refrain from chat rooms.
- Teach children to tell if they encounter an upsetting experience online. They should feel comfortable in immediately turning off the computer and talking with a parent about the experience.
- Never allow your children to meet with someone from an online session.
- Know the parents of your children's friends.
- Teach children to never open email from someone they don't know.
- Never respond to an unsubscribe on a pornographic email. If you or your child receives a message that is harassing, of a sexual nature, or threatening, forward a copy of the message to your ISP, and ask for assistance.
- Have children and teens Google themselves often: screen names, telephone and cell numbers, addresses, full names, nicknames, etc.
- Warn children to keep personal information confidential.
- If you are aware of the sharing or viewing of child pornography online,immediately report this to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 800-843-5678.
- When in chat rooms remember that it is easy for a sexual predator to take on a new identity.
- Avoid spreading rumors or cyber bullying, sharing private communications online. Don't do anything online that you wouldn't do in face-to-face life!
THE CYBERTIPLINE
The Congressionally mandated CyberTipline is a reporting mechanism for cases of child sexual exploitation including child pornography, online enticement of children for sex acts, molestation of children outside the family, sex tourism of children, child victims of prostitution, and unsolicited obscene material sent to a child.
Reports may be made 24 hrs a day / 7 days per week online at www.cybertipline.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678.
National Sex Offender Public Registry www.nsopr.gov
National Center For Missing & Exploited Children www.missingkids.com
NOTIFICATION - HOMEWORD
During months of February-March 2008, HomeWord promoted the issue of Internet safety with numerous broadcasts and a promotional mailing which encouraged listeners to purchase a book written by HomeWord's producer, Roger Marsh. The Internet safety promotion included a repeat of the broadcast interview with Danielle Helms aired December 2007, titled "Holding On After Your Child Let's Go." Prior to the promotional mailing, Roger Marsh boldly wrote and signed a letter with the name of Danielle Helms and asked for approval to mail for the sole purpose of CREATING an endorsement for his highly promoted Internet safety book. When Roger's factually inaccurate and opportunistic letter was not approved, he agreed that a letter written by Danielle Helms would not be altered or changed, if used in the HomeWord mailing.
It has been discovered that the letter written by Danielle Helms and submitted to Roger Marsh was altered, as areas were deleted and words added. A thank you to HomeWord for the "interview opportunity" was removed in order to create the appearance of an endorsement of Roger Marsh's Internet safety book. An endorsement request was previously declined as the book had not been read by Danielle Helms. The final appalling, bold and brazen manipulation of Danielle Helms' Internet Safety public awareness effort unfolded when the Kristin Helms Internet Safety Foundation website was removed from the Helms letter (website originally added by Roger Marsh), in an upsetting effort to USE Kristin's traumatic death, a grieving mother's emotional radio interview and gracious personal letter to promote Roger Marsh's book, rather than the Kristin Helms Internet Safety Foundation.
Roger Marsh's dishonest manipulation of the Helms letter provided, necessitates this legal notification. HomeWord is NOT authorized to use any text written by or about Danielle Helms, Kristin Helms, the Helms family or accompanying photo images for any purpose.
Copyright © 2008 Kristin Helms Internet Safety Foundation, Inc. - All rights reserved.
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