Is it safe to put pictures of your child(ren) on the internet?

[Jason_V]

I know a lot of people do put pictures of their child(ren) on their websites or even in their profiles. I'm thinking that maybe this isn't the best or safest idea. It really doesn't take much to find out an address of someone online.

Unfortunately, in this world there are way too many sickos, maniacs, and psychos. Do you think by putting pictures of your child(ren) online is unintentionally putting your kid(s) at risk?

Just to illustrate my point, there was a story a year or so ago. The gist of it is people had pure bred puppies for sale. They put pictures of the puppies online. The woman who was selling the puppies was in the some of the pictures holding them. The woman in the picture was very visibly pregnant.

A couple called them up saying they were interested in the puppies. They really weren't. They only wanted the unborn baby. They went to the house and took the unborn baby out of the woman's stomach.

I know this is an extreme case, but I'm wondering if the risks of putting up pictures of your child(ren) is really worth it?

What do you think?

[BinderGang]

This is all a matter of opinion, really.

If I had a kid: I would only post pictures online (on my own blog, facebook, etc) if it was a picture of us together, during something like a family trip. Something where I was getting across my experience, and they happened to be there with me.

Pics of just my kid in the pic and nothing else? Nope.

[Daniel Scott]

Jason,

Some would say you're being paranoid.

Maybe so... but if (heaven forbid) I ever "spawned"... I'd want to keep my kids safe as well.

Is there a particular reason you are thinking of putting your kid's photos online?

Are they old enough to have an opinion on the matter?

-Dan

[Lance K]

They better hope that they're more in love with the 2nd amendment than I am.


P.S.

I love it A LOT!!!

Originally Posted by Jason_V

I know a lot of people do put pictures of their child(ren) on their websites or even in their profiles. I'm thinking that maybe this isn't the best or safest idea. It really doesn't take much to find out an address of someone online.

Unfortunately, in this world there are way too many sickos, maniacs, and psychos. Do you think by putting pictures of your child(ren) online is unintentionally putting your kid(s) at risk?

Just to illustrate my point, there was a story a year or so ago. The gist of it is people had pure bred puppies for sale. They put pictures of the puppies online. The woman who was selling the puppies was in the some of the pictures holding them. The woman in the picture was very visibly pregnant.

A couple called them up saying they were interested in the puppies. They really weren't. They only wanted the unborn baby. They went to the house and took the unborn baby out of the woman's stomach.

I know this is an extreme case, but I'm wondering if the risks of putting up pictures of your child(ren) is really worth it?

What do you think?

[lilgrace]

I had pictures of my child on my facebook but had the settings set as private and only my friends could see them. Well....that all changed when I figured out that if one of MY friends commented on one of my pictures, even if it was set as private....then ALL their friends can see the picture. Some of my friends have friends that I don't want seeing pics of my child so I took them all down and have a pic of myself only on my profile. Oh and one scenery shot my daughter took!!

[Jason_V]

Originally Posted by Daniel Scott

Jason,

Some would say you're being paranoid.

Maybe so... but if (heaven forbid) I ever "spawned"... I'd want to keep my kids safe as well.

Is there a particular reason you are thinking of putting your kid's photos online?

Are they old enough to have an opinion on the matter?

-Dan

That's why I'm asking. I do want to know if I'm being paranoid, or if this is a legitimate concern.

I mean the reality is many people do put pictures of their kids online. I'm wondering if they ever thought about the dangers or if they figure that it's really nothing to be concerned about.

I'm not talking about kids who are tweens or teenagers I'm talking about little kids.

Even so, how many horror stories have you heard about teenagers and tweens who post not only their picture but their cell phone number, address, etc...on their Facebook or MySpace page.

[dave147]

It's up to you but I'd never do it

[Daniel Scott]

Well let's put it this way...

Personally, I would never do it. I meet enough fruitcakes as it is... I don't even want them to know who I am or where I live, let alone if I had kids.

The chances of something going wrong are pretty slim... but that's not a chance I'd ever want to take.

-Dan

[Jagged]

Wasn't too long ago that I remember someone (I believe a warrior member) on another forum where photo's of themself & their children were copied....photoshopped into some pretty disgusting images & passed around to other forum members....

Some truly sick people out there....

Me...I do not post any pictures of my or anyone elses kids....if I did it would be on a password protected site...for family & close friends viewing only...

JMO,
Ken

[Matt Fulger]

I think maybe you are being a bit paranoid. But perhaps rightly so.

Personally, I have one pic online of me with my son on my back.
You can see it in my profile. However, I don't post tons of pics
of my kids online. In fact, that's the ONLY pic of any of my kids
that is online (that I'm aware of).

However, my kids live with their mother, not myself (fighting for
custody). Unfortunately, they have unsupervised internet access
and undoubtedly will eventually upload pics of themselves, if they
haven't already.

Not to mention the fact that schools these days have websites
that also post pics of their students online.

The fact is, you probably have sickos right in your neighborhood
that already know what your children look like and where they live.
I know that we have several registered sex offenders just one street
over from us. Of course, my kids aren't allowed to wander off in that
direction when they are here, but that doesn't mean the sex offenders
couldn't be prowling the neighborhoods virtually unnoticed.

Such is life.

You can't keep them hidden away forever, but no need to advertise
them either.

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by Jason_V

Unfortunately, in this world there are way too many sickos, maniacs, and psychos.

What makes you think they're only on the internet?

The sickos are your neighbours. The maniacs work at the grocery store. The psychos drive the school bus.

What are you going to do, lock your kids in the basement?

[bgmacaw]

I don't even put my own picture on the Internet.

[rapidscc]

The story about the pregnant lady sent shivers up my spine! is that true?

But to give us a good perspective on this lets do some guesstimate.

There hundreds of millions of profiles in social sites today, lets put it at just a low of 200 million. Then lets guesstimate again that one fourth of those are parents that have pictures of their children there, so it brings us to 25 million. Now lets estimate how many news reports of such bizarre crimes there are..Citing your post, this is the first time this year or any other year I've heard of such a story..so I would say that based on estimated statistics it's still safe to put pictures of your children online.

But what we should look out for instead is to be careful on the post we make on our social properties particularly our vacation plans. I've heard of some reports about people scanning social sites for vacation related keywords. They check out if its near their location..and you know what happens next..

Be safe..

Omar

[teleam]

I wouldn't put pictures of my children or any small child on the internet.

[Rebtl]

An armed populous is a polite populous.

I vote keep your kids pictures off the internet as much as possible because there are all kinds of crazies on the internet.

Keep a weapon for the real life encounters.


Rebtl

[Kezz]

I always say if you're not sure about something, choose the option that gives greater benefit and less harm.

In this case, if you're not sure even one little bit, I think it's completely fair and reasonable to err on the side of protecting your kids.

[Jay Jennings]

Yes, it's safe.

Go to your local library tomorrow and borrow a copy of "Free-Range Kids" -- the statistics and facts in there are eye-openers.

Jay Jennings

[MichaelHiles]

Facebook profile, but not on the web at large.

I am one of those people that if the media ever showed up at my house, they'd call my collection a "cache of weapons".

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by MichaelHiles

I am one of those people that if the media ever showed up at my house, they'd call my collection a "cache of weapons".

My eldest son has been an escrimador since he was three. The youngest starts training in a couple months. Next year, we start the eldest on firearms training.

I pity the moron who thinks he can prey on my children.

[Steven D Smith]

I am a former police officer, and I would strongly recommend keeping your kids pictures off the internet. I once arrested a man that told me he would pick out his "hopeful targets" by either finding pictures of them or just seeing a kid while driving.

He told me he was so attracted to kids that he once got into a car crash because he spotted a kid about a block away, got so excited he smashed into a car. He also told me that he would "work on each target kid" for at least a month once he picked one out.

That is the type of weirdos that are out there.

Steve

[Peter Temp]

I dont think there is any problem, i have all my family pictures put up online but the settings are saved so that its only visible on invitation to my friends and family, so there is no harm in sharing pictures online with friends. Its only a matter of opinion. Thanks

[Matt Fulger]

Originally Posted by CDarklock

What makes you think they're only on the internet?

The sickos are your neighbours. The maniacs work at the grocery store. The psychos drive the school bus.

What are you going to do, lock your kids in the basement?

Exactly!

The crazies are everywhere, could even be someone in your own family.

I've met a good many of women who were molested as children. In MOST
cases they were being molested by their own family members.

I've also met quite a few boys who were also molested. Most of them were
molested by their Pastors.

Originally Posted by CDarklock

My eldest son has been an escrimador since he was three. The youngest starts training in a couple months. Next year, we start the eldest on firearms training.

I pity the moron who thinks he can prey on my children.

I think you are on to something here. Train your kids to be able to protect
themselves and they are much less likely to become a victim.

[ozespirit]

In this day and age I would avoid doing that. The internet has become a paedophiles playground

[Kay King]

theres no problem, no need to worry to post pictures

Why on earth would anyone say that?

If you want to plaster your picture everywhere, that's fine. Though many of the "photos" here aren't the person's own picture....

Parents who proudly post their children's photos online are fools in my opinion. Some of them make it very easy - with a page that contains their full name AND tells where whey live.

Would you take a child to a large public gathering where people of all kinds - good and bad - were present....and leave that child there alone? Of course not. But some will put their child online and think that's a good idea!

We've all heard the stories and these things happened before the internet, too. It's not the "day and age" - it's the false sense of security some have when they access the internet from their homes. It's lack of common sense!

kay

[Jay Jennings]

Originally Posted by Kay King

Why on earth would anyone say that? ... It's lack of common sense!

I've seen a lot of common sense that has little to do with reality.

You take your children places in your car, right? Their odds of dying in a car wreck are 1 in 83.

Do you let your children swim? Their odds of dying by drowning are 1 in 1,100.

But the odds of a kid being abducted and murdered are 1 in a 1,000,000.

(Facts and figures pulled from stats.org and reason.com)

So where does common sense fit into this?

Jay Jennings

[Bill Farnham]

I've always found good sales copy needs to go along with the pictures. Just having the caption read "For Sale" doesn't quite get it done.

If your kid is pet friendly, include that in your copy. Same if they do their chores. If they're constantly pulling the cats' tail and they never make their bed, leave that out.

The next owner will find that out in due time.

And always go with a No Refund policy. Taking them back just means more work, and trying to get them back in the same school can be a drag.

Best of luck,

KJ

[TeddyP]

I'd put pictures of my child on things like facebook etc... I don't think there is a direct correlation between children's pictures on the net and kidnap rates.

The internet has been exponentially getting more popular. Are there any studies that show that their is a similar growth rate in kidnapping or molestation? Of the cases of kidnapping and molestation - what percentage were deemed to be internet motivated?

If I had some concrete answers to those questions it might make me more worried.

[MizzCindy]

Nope. Will not put pics of the kids online.

There was recently a news report about a mother who was contacted by a good samaritan regarding her infant son's photo. Some creepo had copied the photo off of Facebook (or someplace similar - I can't remember where she had posted it now) and was using the photo as a child 'available for adoption'.

He was running a scam trying to bilk money from desperate wanna-be parents and using her child's image to do it.

The good samaritan became suspicious and looked at the photo properties. The family name was right there on the photo, so she contacted the mother.

Another story - a member of one of the mommy forums I belong to just recently had her entire adoption story 'stolen', pics and all. She had a personal blog up detailing her adoption journey. It had several pics of the child and the orphanage and the whole family.

Well, some wacko copied all the details and the pics and started posting all over the place that it was actually HER child and HER adoption story. It was a big mess. Yikes!

Nope, too many ways someone could exploit a child's image and once it's out there...it's out there.

Cindy

[ThomM]

Originally Posted by MizzCindy

Nope. Will not put pics of the kids online.

There was recently a news report about a mother who was contacted by a good samaritan regarding her infant son's photo. Some creepo had copied the photo off of Facebook (or someplace similar - I can't remember where she had posted it now) and was using the photo as a child 'available for adoption'.

He was running a scam trying to bilk money from desperate wanna-be parents and using her child's image to do it.

The good samaritan became suspicious and looked at the photo properties. The family name was right there on the photo, so she contacted the mother.

Another story - a member of one of the mommy forums I belong to just recently had her entire adoption story 'stolen', pics and all. She had a personal blog up detailing her adoption journey. It had several pics of the child and the orphanage and the whole family.

Well, some wacko copied all the details and the pics and started posting all over the place that it was actually HER child and HER adoption story. It was a big mess. Yikes!

Nope, too many ways someone could exploit a child's image and once it's out there...it's out there.

Cindy

I've seen the same thing with houses, cars, motorcycles, you name it.
I had a whole website copied and put up by someone else.
They even left my affiliate links in it, straight copy and paste from view source.
My point is some people will use anything not just kids pictures.

[seasoned]

OH MAN!!!!!!! Keep your kids pictures, age, birthdate, full name, and specific location APART!!!! Try to NEVER put it on the internet!

I go to the airport, and hear people using kids names outloud, dressed in shirts with their names, etc... STUPID!

There are a LOT of idiots around, etc... The police are IDIOTS that DON'T CARE!!!!!

Want PROOF? I will tell you of a conspiracy that is only NOW being revealed, and reveal some things you might not have heard, because they seem to be hiding them. WHY!?!?!?

At one point, a family decided to MOVE, because they didn't think their daughter was safe. They moved to another place that was SUPPOSED to be safer. About a week before the end of school, the father was not TOO far away from his daughter. He saw ANOTHER car cut his daughter off, and they KIDNAPPED his daughter! He reported it to the police, but they didn't care. He went on the media, etc.... but NOTHING! The kidnappers hid the evidence in their back yard, setup camp, and the man raped the kidnapped girl. She had two kids. The first kid was born when she was about 14yo!!!!!

3 YEARS ago, a neighbor found out about this, told the police, but they merely went there SUPPOSEDLY. They never even went into the backyard! Recently, the male kidnapper tried to do something with the 2 younger kids, and THOSE police officers got suspicious and found out everything! So how did it end up:

Jaycee Lee Dugard Found: Missing Girl Located After 18 Years - ABC News

And the KIDNAPPER is acting like she is fine, wasn't harmed, etc... They kidnapped her, they imprisoned her for 18 years, they RAPED her, they forced her to have kids, they denied her an education, who knows what else, and they claimed they didn't harm her!

I was once robbed, gave the police EVIDENCE LEADING STRAIGHT TO THE THEIVES, and they IGNORED IT! I didn't know they ignored it until months later, and they asked me to give them ANOTHER copy after people forgot, moved, etc.... So take it from me, ALL they care about is the power, benefits, and that paycheck!

BTW IMAGINE! Her oldest child is now 4 years OLDER than she was when she was kidnapped! Her youngest child is about as old as she was when she was kidnapped. INCREDIBLE!

If I had children, I think I would tell them to NEVER reveal their birthdate, NEVER say their full real name to a stranger, and NEVER use their pictures on the internet. I don't know if you noticed, but I am that careful MYSELF! GRANTED some know EXACTLY where I live, and my approximate age. More even COULD find out my name and/or location. AND, granted, they COULD find out much more, but I don't freely give it out. When it came to my kids, I would SUE THE PANTS off of anyone even FACILITATING such things. and C.O.P.P.A would make that VERY easy! BTW COPPA was created because all I have said is TRUE! http://www.coppa.org/comply.htm

Steve

[Jay Jennings]

So it's stupid to call your kids by name when you're in public?

1 in a million, Steve, 1 in a million.

Parents need to stop being paranoid and afraid.

Jay Jennings

[ThomM]

Originally Posted by Jay Jennings

So it's stupid to call your kids by name when you're in public?

1 in a million, Steve, 1 in a million.

Parents need to stop being paranoid and afraid.

Jay Jennings

Well I raised 4 girls the youngest being 21 now so I think I can speak about that.
You're right.
Being paranoid and afraid will create more problems then it will solve.
A parent needs to be aware and responsible.

[Michael Oksa]

There are a LOT of idiots around, etc... The police are IDIOTS that DON'T CARE!!!!!

NO everybody who makes generalized statements is an IDIOT.

Some police do care, some not as much. But to say police are idiots is a dumb thing to say. You use two horrific examples, but that's not enough to condemn an entire profession.

To say COPPA was created BECAUSE of all you said doesn't make sense. That suggests that COPPA was created, in part, due to the Dugard case - sorry, but that timetable doesn't make sense.

However, about using your child's name in public...use a nickname that only sounds right coming from you. It works.

~M~

[Dave Patterson]

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

NO everybody who makes generalized statements is an IDIOT.


~M~

Hmmmm....???

[Michael Oksa]

Originally Posted by Dave Patterson

Hmmmm....???

LOL

I was wondering if anybody would pick up on that.



~M~

[designyourlife]

Kids don't belong in the bedroom of the online world....

[Dave Patterson]

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

LOL

I was wondering if anybody would pick up on that.



~M~

P.S. - .......

[Michael Oksa]

It comes down to a few things.

1. If you don't have kids of your own, then you offer nothing more than theory on the issue. Even if you know the stats, or whatever, until you know the emotional bond you have with your own kids, you really can't fully comprehend this issue.

2. I wouldn't put a picture of any of my kids online. But my oldest is now in the second year of college, and uses social websites - not much I can do to keep a young adult from posting a pic or two.

3. Apart from being really stupid, it's up to each parent to decide what's best for their child(ren). By stupid I mean putting up a pic, with address, birthday, likes, dislikes, school info, etc.

4. You have to balance letting them be kids and enjoying life with protecting them. It can be a fine line, but again, it's up to each parent to make that call.

~M~

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by Jay Jennings

So it's stupid to call your kids by name when you're in public?

1 in a million, Steve, 1 in a million.

Parents need to stop being paranoid and afraid.

Jay Jennings

In places like airports, etc....? YEP!

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

NO everybody who makes generalized statements is an IDIOT.

Some police do care, some not as much. But to say police are idiots is a dumb thing to say. You use two horrific examples, but that's not enough to condemn an entire profession.

To say COPPA was created BECAUSE of all you said doesn't make sense. That suggests that COPPA was created, in part, due to the Dugard case - sorry, but that timetable doesn't make sense.

However, about using your child's name in public...use a nickname that only sounds right coming from you. It works.

~M~

I was speaking of the police as a GROUP! When the case FIRST came up, Garrido should have been one of the FIRST suspects! He was in the area, and had a HISTORY of kidnapping, etc... Failing that, with the 2006 lead, they sshould have quickly gotten a search warrant and searched the place! They DIDN'T!!!!!!!

Of course, there are ALWAYS going to be people that do the right thing, etc.... The Garrido next door neighbor DID report them! EVENTUALLY two cops DID solve the case. But wouldn't it haave been nice to solve it 18 years ago? Even THREE years ago? MY case STILL hasn't been solved, and it was one of ELEVEN just at MY apartment THAT DAY! Apparently, it happened all the time, and they took less than 3 hours at my place. I know, because that is how long I was gone. The police didn't even have time to get to my place, so it was likely less than 2 hours! So when I say they didn't solve MY case, that represents at LEAST 11! In MY case ALONE it was a theft of over $3000 USD! BTW it happened over 15 YEARS ago! SO, do you see why I have SUCH a low opinion of cops in general? Oh yeah, you DID see how I gave them EVIDENCE! I actually called a place, and they said those people WOULD be remembered! They bought over $750 dollars worth of merchandise from a COMMISSIONED salesperson, and the average sale was $50!

COPPA was developed because kids tend to be open, and kidnappers and rapists know that! I forget the actual case that created it, but it was NOT done out of paranoia, but NEED!

As for the bit about kids names, if you have a kid that looks cute to someone, they may remember. If you start screaming it, or use it too much, it can cause a confusion, etc... if someone else uses it. Even the police say you should have some keyword to let the child know that the people are to be trusted.

That is done, in part, because the name causes confusion. That will ALWAYS be the first line of defense though. Almost like 2 people at front desks I knew that had a nickname that ONLY their friends and guests knew. If salespeople came in, they would use the wrong name, and the guys knew they were just making COLD calls.

HEY, I am only trying to help. You know me. If you don't want to heed the advice, have a cute kid, and are around some bad guy, don't be surprised.

Steve

[dorim]

Reikidad1961 started a thread just like this about a month ago.

[DotComBum]

If you're uneasy about it then just don't do it.

[Michael Oksa]

I TRIED to READ all of YOUR post, STEVE, I REALLY did, BUT for SOME REASON I found THAT something kept DISTRACTING me. SORRY, I know it SHOULDN'T matter, BUT it just gets DIFFICULT to READ SOMETIMES.

YEAH, I KNOW you were talking ABOUT police AS a GROUP. That was my POINT. YOU can't condemn an ENTIRE profession based on A FEW CASES - NO MATTER how BAD they ARE. YOU are USING a FEW examples to "PROVE" a POINT. HOW many OTHER cases DID they SOLVE? OH WAIT - answering THAT wouldn't back UP your POINT - SO feel FREE to IGNORE all the GOOD WORK they have DONE, and CONTINUE to DO.

I have had POLICE help me, HELP me STAY ALIVE. There have been a FEW bad EXPERIENCES with THEM, BUT VERY FEW. They have a TOUGH job, AND I APPRECIATE what they DO.

JUST don't make IT sound LIKE THEY are ALL bad. THEY'RE not.

As far as kids go, my point was just what you mentioned. Use a nickname with them. At the age of 40 my dad still calls me by my childhood nickname, but if ANYONE else called me that, it wouldn't sound RIGHT. The SAME IDEA applies to your KIDS.

Oh, and stop acting like a. "If you don't want to heed the advice, have a cute kid, and are around some bad guy, don't be surprised." What does that mean? Like it would be the fault of the parent? Or does it mean that the sickos ONLY go after "cute" kids? Or ONLY your advice will keep them safe? Lots of misconceptions crammed into that sentence.

Also, the insinuation - YES YOU WERE INSINUATING - that I somehow don't care about my kids is insulting. So, when you say, "You know me." I can only respond by saying, yes, I do, and you never let me down with your comments. They challenge me at a different level, and that's a good thing.



~M~

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

It comes down to a few things.

1. If you don't have kids of your own, then you offer nothing more than theory on the issue. Even if you know the stats, or whatever, until you know the emotional bond you have with your own kids, you really can't fully comprehend this issue.

2. I wouldn't put a picture of any of my kids online. But my oldest is now in the second year of college, and uses social websites - not much I can do to keep a young adult from posting a pic or two.

3. Apart from being really stupid, it's up to each parent to decide what's best for their child(ren). By stupid I mean putting up a pic, with address, birthday, likes, dislikes, school info, etc.

4. You have to balance letting them be kids and enjoying life with protecting them. It can be a fine line, but again, it's up to each parent to make that call.

~M~

Yeah, OBVIOUSLY, at some point, the kids are LESS likely to be kidnapped and are better able to protect themselves, etc... Even Coppa only goes to 14. Males are probably safer, and if they are a good size, strong, etc.... or look mature, it is probably safer. An 11 year old girl is only about 4'9"(80lbs) at 14, she is 5'3"(110lbs), or about adult height! That might make all the difference. Jaycee looks pretty as an adult, but the kidnapper might not have considered her if she were even 3 years older. In any event, I certainly wouldn't admonish a 20 year old either.

Steve

[Jay Jennings]

Originally Posted by seasoned

In places like airports, etc....? YEP!

What makes an airport any worse than Wal-Mart, or the park, or outside the kids' school?

You have an opinion that's not based on anything reasonable. Do you think it's stupid to take a child swimming or somewhere in the car? They are FAR more likely to be killed in one of those ways than by being abducted. It's not even close.

COPPA and most of those laws were (in my belief) created as the fear-based result of some horrific incident. And they get passed because no politician wants to be seen as being "against child safety" or as being "soft on pedophiles."

According to the facts and figures I've seen the rate of serious child abduction has remained steady over the last 50 years.

Which means if it was okay to let kids out of your sight 50 years ago, it's okay to let them out of your sight today. Or even to call them by name.

Jay Jennings

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

Oh, and stop acting like a. "If you don't want to heed the advice, have a cute kid, and are around some bad guy, don't be surprised." What does that mean? Like it would be the fault of the parent? Or does it mean that the sickos ONLY go after "cute" kids? Or ONLY your advice will keep them safe? Lots of misconceptions crammed into that sentence.

Also, the insinuation - YES YOU WERE INSINUATING - that I somehow don't care about my kids is insulting. So, when you say, "You know me." I can only respond by saying, yes, I do, and you never let me down with your comments.

~M~

I didn't target it at anyone in particular. I certainly didn't mean to claim you were a bad parent, etc...

And HEY, you meet ALL KINDS! But somehow it seems the most common ones are cute girls. It just looks like they are more likely to have this happen to them. And HEY, it is a VERY small percentage. It may NEVER affect ANYONE here. It may seem to NEVER happen. But whoever it DOES happen to won't care, because they were that one a million, etc... And the area doesn't seem to matter. It may happen in the busiest place in LA, or
the quietest place in montana. It may happen in a busy airport, or a quiet street.

ALL I am saying is:
1. LIMIT the spread of identifying info.
2. KNOW where they will be, and make sure they got there.(for YOUNG ADULTS, they have some GPS systems for phones and cars to make that less intrusive)
3. Try to facilitate safe travel.
4. Have some sort of keyword in case you need a stranger to pick them up.
5. DON'T expect the police to spend time on it, or follow up, so try to be proactive and make sure they do

FIVE simple steps! SURE the child might be a bit upset at letting you know plans, follow up, etc... but you can give more freedom say at 15 or so, and protect them when the odds are more against them.

Oh well, I guess some got a good laugh, if nothing else.

Steve

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by Jay Jennings

What makes an airport any worse than Wal-Mart, or the park, or outside the kids' school?

You kind of have a point there, of course an airport could be more confusing and they could even end up in a different country. I guess I have just been in SO many airports, and seen SO many kids that had some problems. Some unaccompanied minors weren't even properly watched, and were going to be picked up by people they didn't really know.

You have an opinion that's not based on anything reasonable. Do you think it's stupid to take a child swimming or somewhere in the car? They are FAR more likely to be killed in one of those ways than by being abducted. It's not even close.

Well, putting a persons name on the internet isn't putting them in a car or water. MOST places in the US now require a lifeguard or parental supervision. Still. one would hope they can swim. HEY, I almost died in a car crash! In fact, the DRIVER did, the car was totalled, and I broke my leg. Still, some things you just can't prevent.

COPPA and most of those laws were (in my belief) created as the fear-based result of some horrific incident. And they get passed because no politician wants to be seen as being "against child safety" or as being "soft on pedophiles."

OH, people ARE soft on pedophiles! THAT is why Jaycee was kidnapped! They let Garriddo out, didn't properly handle probation, didn't consider him a suspect, didn't properly follow up the lead. I would say that is SOFT! COPPA doesn't do anything against pedophiles. The goal is to limit the spread of identifying info, so pedophiles fnd it harder to use the internet to kidnap.

According to the facts and figures I've seen the rate of serious child abduction has remained steady over the last 50 years.

Which means if it was okay to let kids out of your sight 50 years ago, it's okay to let them out of your sight today. Or even to call them by name.

Jay Jennings

Given what you said, that would be a reasonable belief. Based on what I have seen and heard, it isn't. One wonders what is happening then. Most areas just DON'T seem as safe. Then again, if places seem worse, people may be more careful, and that would limit abductions.

[Matt Fulger]

Steve,

Although I do like you and usually enjoy the content you provide....

YOU are one of the MOST paranoid people I've ever come across.

The story you pointed out has NOTHING to do with someone
being kidnapped as a direct result of pictures being posted on
the internet. In fact, the only thing that case has to do with
the internet is the reporting of it going on now.

She was abducted apparently right in front of her father on
her way to the school bus 18 years ago, by a complete stranger.
She was probably randomly selected while the kidnapper was
driving down the road.

This has absolutely NOTHING to do with posting pictures of
your children on the internet. Surely, you, of all people can
come up with something better than that to back up your
reasons NOT to put pictures of children online?

While I wouldn't go around posting pics of my kids all over
the internet, I'm not going to live in fear of them being
abducted if they post pics of themselves somewhere online.

I don't really think posting pics on the internet raises their
chances of being abducted and/or murdered anymore than
allowing them to go to the mall or the movies or even over
to a friends house. Hell, just letting them go to the bus stop
alone leaves the possibility of being kidnapped, murdered, etc.

In fact, there's probably a better chance of them being molested
at church than there is being abducted because of a picture
posted online.

Obviously, I could be wrong here. But I do KNOW that I refuse
to live in fear and don't expect my children to live in fear either.
I think that just makes them a more likely victim than a child that
is taught to defend themselves in case of some weird incident.

Just my thoughts.

Matt

[Michael Oksa]

Originally Posted by seasoned

I didn't target it at anyone in particular. I certainly didn't mean to claim you were a bad parent, etc...

And HEY, you meet ALL KINDS! But somehow it seems the most common ones are cute girls. It just looks like they are more likely to have this happen to them. And HEY, it is a VERY small percentage. It may NEVER affect ANYONE here. It may seem to NEVER happen. But whoever it DOES happen to won't care, because they were that one a million, etc... And the area doesn't seem to matter. It may happen in the busiest place in LA, or
the quietest place in montana. It may happen in a busy airport, or a quiet street.

I wish I could remember the book, but I can tell you why it "seems" the most common ones are cute girls: It's because their picture looks better on the TV news. Seriously. I wish I could cite the source, it was very eye-opening. Also, the book went on to say that it is usually "cute white girls", which is really sad, considering kids of both genders and all backgrounds fall victim to predators.

ALL I am saying is:
1. LIMIT the spread of identifying info.
2. KNOW where they will be, and make sure they got there.(for YOUNG ADULTS, they have some GPS systems for phones and cars to make that less intrusive)
3. Try to facilitate safe travel.
4. Have some sort of keyword in case you need a stranger to pick them up.
5. DON'T expect the police to spend time on it, or follow up, so try to be proactive and make sure they do

FIVE simple steps! SURE the child might be a bit upset at letting you know plans, follow up, etc... but you can give more freedom say at 15 or so, and protect them when the odds are more against them.

Oh well, I guess some got a good laugh, if nothing else.

Steve

I think those are reasonable tips, though one more can be added. Role play with your kids and be sure they have a plan for what to do in different situations.

~M~

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by Matt Fulger

Obviously, I could be wrong here. But I do KNOW that I refuse
to live in fear and don't expect my children to live in fear either.
I think that just makes them a more likely victim than a child that
is taught to defend themselves in case of some weird incident.

Just my thoughts.

Matt

You are right, Garrido apparently just happened by, though he might have cased it for a while. The internet is simply a method that HAS been used. I was just showing one wierdo that was out there and how the police "responded".

And I certainly wasnn't asking ANYONE to live in fear. I am certainly not suggesting even limiting your kids actions. JUST being careful. As it relates to the internet, even just following coppa would go a LONG way. Some POLICE try to look like minors violating coppa to trap pedophiles. So the POLICE know it is being used. I figured YOU should know ALSO!

Steve