Drastic Countermeasures

Child predators are more sophisticated and more dangerous than ever before. Not only have they developed clever techniques to lure children into their webs, but they have become more defiant against the law. The boldness of predators has expanded and the internet is their most useful tool in locating and interacting with minors. Though the internet is an excellent tool to access information, unfortunately, it gives pedophiles instant access to unsuspecting children. Through online communication, predators have the ability to develop long term internet relationships with their potential victims. What follows the cyberspace rapport is physical contact. Technology has only made the predators’ job easier.

The pedophiles’ techniques are getting even more drastic. Predators are forming their own online communities and they are actively uniting against legal authorities. Their communities are also devising methods of influencing legislation and public opinion on the exploitation of minors. According to the December, 1997 Internet Online Summit: Focus on Children, Dr. Nancy Faulkner provided documentation on one of the largest organized pedophile groups on the internet, the Man/Boy Love. Their website community was entitled “Free Spirits,” which is still in effect. This group of internet pedophiles had even developed their own creed, The BoyLove Manifesto. Dr. Faulkner also documented that within the “Free Spirits” internet community were pages of links to other websites that include personal pedophile web pages, pedophile organizations, pedophile web forums, pedophilia history and documents supporting the pedophile viewpoint. The Online Summit was over eleven years ago and the predator viewpoint was drastic then. Imagine now.

If we are to protect the children, these drastic methods require drastic countermeasures. Predators have taken a “no holds barred” approach to manipulating American’s youth, and America can no longer stand by and “wish” these communities away. “Beating around the bush” and cryptic language are no longer viable options. Straight talk, raw and uncut may be one of many practical solutions (i.e. education training, seminars, etc.). Stricter parental guidelines on internet use, along with blocking software are other practical methods as well. Training and education on the value of “restrictions” and “discipline” are major techniques that parents and guardians can use to counterattack the predators’ strategy.