Sexual Predators on the Net

There is no behaviour online that you will not find off line, but we need to be realistic about the way people can exploit the Net. Those who are intent on abusing people sexually are well aware of how to use the anonymity of the Net to gain people's trust. What are some of the ways a 45-year-old sex offender could gain a young person's trust on the Net? He could say:

• "I'm a 16 year old girl."
• "I'm doing NCEA level one this year and I hate maths".
• "I'm saving up for a new pair of shoes to wear out clubbing."
• "I'm a member of our Baptist church youth group."
• "I'm a peer support person at my school so you can tell me what's bothering you."

Although this person would sound promising as a new friend, you would not know the truth until you met face-to-face, and that's why you want to meet in a public place and have friends or a parent with you.

If a contact from the Net wants to meet you and insists on meeting alone, don't be flattered - be suspicious. Any new friend worth having would be cautious themselves about meeting you for the first time, too.