Internet dating dangers children

But instant messaging, chat rooms, emails and social networking sites can also bring trouble - from cyberbullying to more serious Internet dangers, including exposure to sexual predators.

How savvy are you about keeping your child or teenager safe online?

More predators are now scouring social networking sites, such as My Space and Xanga, because these sites have centralized so much information, Shehan says.

A child's profile typically includes photos, personal interests and blogs.

The Cyber Tipline helps prevent sexual exploitation of children by reporting cases of kids enticed online to do sexual acts.

While sexual predators have targeted children in chat rooms, they migrate to wherever young people go online, Shehan says.

You can view the Internet browser history to see which websites your child is visiting, Shehan says.

But since kids can delete this history, you may want to install Internet filtering software to block porn sites in the first place.

They're going to have the same likes and dislikes," Shehan says.Internet Safety Tips Camera phones, digital cameras and web cams are everywhere these days, and kids can be victims of their own inexperience with new technology.Many post pictures, videos or notes online that they later regret.Once she began dating him, a jealous girl flooded her computer with a stream of nasty messages."She'd say, 'I hate you; leave the school,' and she called me every name in the book," says Handy, now an 18-year-old senior in New Jersey.