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Myths, stereotypes and pedophiles : Comments
By Nina Funnell, published 22/9/2009The reality is that in 75 per cent of child abuse cases the abuser is known to the child.
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It seems that the ways sexual advances are made are changing. You suggested we don't demonise the internet, but the very nature of the -er- communication makes it anonymous. I asked a good friend's daughter, in her room seemingly permanently internet chatting and texting ($300 per month in texts, much to the parental despair) why she didn't just go and meet them. She herself admitted that the vast bulk of texts, tweets and chats happened between mates at school.
Her response - 'because I can't say to them what I can say online.' So what is it that you say online?
Anonymity paves the way for explicit chats, images, threats, coercion and bullying. You don't have to front up to the real time, real world embarrassment and hurt you might cause. You don't have to suffer the consequences from someone you have offended.
There are no consequences.
Real time real world interaction is dying and the void is being filled by stuff that just isn't real, an electronic snowstorm of utter drivel. Just browse 'Twitter' occasionally.
Remember how much easier it was to lie to your parents on the phone than face to face? Same logic, different technology, far greater consequences because children are 'sexualised' (awful word but it will do) at a far younger age.
Enter the predators - known and unknown to the child.