INTERNET SAFETYINTERNET SAFETY

““The Water Hole”The Water Hole”

• Developed by Officer Ken Thaxter

• West Bridgewater Police Department

• kthaxter@wbpd.com

• The water hole is a place where animals go to find water.

• Both predators and prey are there.

• There are many types of predators and prey at the water hole.

• This is the place where all of these different animals who would not normally be together will meet.

• Prey animals stay close to each other for protection.

• This is called “strength in numbers.”

• Some animals act as a lookout for dangerous predators.

• Predators will often hide or disguise themselves to allow them to get close their prey.

• Predators look for young or weak animals because they are easier to catch and kill.

• They also look for animals that have been separated from the rest of the pack.

• They will attack when their pray are unaware of any danger or are vulnerable.

• The internet is like a large water hole.

• It is a place where people “meet”,and brings together all different types of people.

• It also attracts “INTERNET PREDATORS” who use the internet as a place to contact and stalk their PREY.

Who are internet predators?Who are internet predators?

• They are criminals who use the internet to find victims.

• Their crimes can range from stealing peoples money to kidnapping and harming other people.

Who are the “prey”Who are the “prey”

• Many times the prey are teen-agers who are depressed or who don’t have any friends.

• They go to the internet to meet and talk with other teens on-line.

• Internet Predators choose the internet because it gives them access to anyone who uses the internet.

• Before the internet was available, predators would have to go directly to places where young people were. This made it much easier to identify predators.

• Now, predators can “hide” on the internet from anywhere.

• Internet predators will often disguise their true identities or “hide” just like the predators at the water hole.

• They will “stalk” their victims by pretending to be their friend.

• Predators may lie and say that they are also a teen.

• They use the anonymity of the internet as their disguise !

• Internet predators may try to start “secret friendships”

• They may encourage their prey not to tell anyone.

• This is how they break up the “strength in numbers”.

• The predator’s goal is to set up a meeting in person.

•

Another type of Internet Predator Another type of Internet Predator tries to steal your money or identitytries to steal your money or identity

• They will offer you free prizes if you give your information.

• They may tell you that you can make a lot of money.

• These may be dangerous SCAMS

• Predators may offer free clothing or “modeling contracts” to teens in exchange for photos and information about them.

• HOW CAN TEENS SAFELY NAVIGATE THROUGH THE WATER HOLE OF THE INTERNET ?

Safety RulesSafety Rules• Remember that Internet Predators may be

watching what you are doing on line.• People are not always what they say they are on

line.• On-Line Friends are Strangers !• NEVER agree to meet in person with anyone

that you have met on-line !• Never give out your personal information on line

to anyone.

Talk to a “Talk to a “TRUSTEDTRUSTED” adult ” adult

• If someone on-line asks to meet you in person.

• If a friend tells you that they are meeting someone they spoke to on-line

• If someone asks for your picture or any other personal information

REMEMBER !!REMEMBER !!

• YOU SHOULD TELL A TRUSTED ADULT ANYTIME THAT YOU SEE SOMETHING ON - LINE THAT MAKES YOU EMBARRASSED OR UNCOMFORTABLE !

Questions ?Questions ?