I was watching the news the other day, and was shocked to learn that 1 out of every 4 minors with a computer, have been sexually solicited online. They didn't say whether or not the majority of these predators were adults, or other minors, but regardless, I was still quite surprised at the percentage. I never imagined it was that high. What kind of measures do you all feel should be taken to lower this statistic, and what do you think the punishment should be for an adult who knowingly approaches a minor in a sexual way? I think they should have a lifetime ban from computers, and should be forced to go into some kind of treatment place before they act on their feelings. Also, I think many parents need to be more involved in their children's lives. What are your guys' ideas? Also, does anyone here know of any website where children can report this kind of behavior? I think it would be good to post up the address for something like that, incase any minor here has had a scary experience like that.

That doesn't surprise me at all. I used to get porn email and porn IMs all the time. Is that what you're talking about?

The report I saw was actually referring more to personal messages that were of a sexual nature, through chats, and messageboards, and places like that. Unfortunately, I think pretty much everyone has gotten a porn email at some time or another.

Wow, you've never gotten a porn IM? Or gone into a chat room and found porn bots telling you to "check out their sexy new webcam" or to "cum see them with their two roommates!!"?

Personally I don't think sexual preditors can be successfully treated. They are always going to be attracted to kids and cannot be changed. Banning them from computers is not nearly enough punishment. They all need to be locked away for life. As far as the parents of these young kids go, they just need to better monitor their childrens activities while online or better yet, find something else for their child to do in their spare time especially during the summer months. Kids in general spend too much time on the computer anyway. When I was a kid we were out riding bikes, building forts and playing hide and go seek.

Originally posted by Mijada
Personally I don't think sexual preditors can be successfully treated. They are always going to be attracted to kids and cannot be changed. Banning them from computers is not nearly enough punishment. They all need to be locked away for life. As far as the parents of these young kids go, they just need to better monitor their childrens activities while online or better yet, find something else for their child to do in their spare time especially during the summer months. Kids in general spend too much time on the computer anyway. When I was a kid we were out riding bikes, building forts and playing hide and go seek.

Well that's easy to say if the Internet wasn't even available then. That's like parents in the fifties saying kids watch too much tv and how they didn't do that when they were kids. Well, it wasn't common then.

Originally posted by Idol Fanatic
Well that's easy to say if the Internet wasn't even available then. That's like parents in the fifties saying kids watch too much tv and how they didn't do that when they were kids. Well, it wasn't common then.

I totally agree with what you're saying but even if it was around then my mother would never have allowed me to spend alot of time online and she definitely would have kept an eye on what I was viewing. Just like she didn't allow me to sit around all day playing Atari or watching TV. She made us kids read books or play outside.

I've never gotten a porn IM although half of my email inbox is always filled with "hot horny teen slut with webcom" crap.

It's interesting how you go from minors being solicited for sex online to Adults knowingly soliciting sex from minors. Those are two different issues.

This may also come at a shock to you but minors (especially girls) lie about their age. And many of these girls are the ones doing the soliciting. Real sickos :p

As far as adults knowingly soliciting sex from minors goes...the internet is a global system. The perpatrator in question could live in Russia for all you know. So there isn't much that can be done other than not letting minors on the computer.

But the bottom line is, no one gets pregnant from a computer, and computers don't give people STDs. So in effect, it really isn't a problem serious enough to warrent major action. There are bigger problems to deal with.

Originally posted by safety pin
I've never gotten a porn IM although half of my email inbox is always filled with "hot horny teen slut with webcom" crap.

stupid, stupid sister.