Introduction
Predators, also known as sexual offenders or pedophiles have blown up on several social media platforms recently. These platforms include but are not limited to Youtube, Twitch and Kick. In the Maple Valley area alone, there are at least seven registered sex offenders. How could we as a community make changes to keep children safe online? Let’s ask a parent of a student at Tahoma High School.
Interview with a parent
An Anonymous parent of a student at Tahoma High School was able to share information on the importance of monitoring internet usage.
“The internet is a dangerous place, there are so many different ways that predators can reach our children.”
“They use social media and video games to meet and manipulate minors.”
Online predators use the internet and its platforms in order to get in contact with minors online. Some of the platforms that they use include games, social media and online chat rooms. They pose a great danger because they tend to use manipulative tactics in order to garner the trust of the children they interact with. It’s important for parents of minors to monitor their kids’ internet usage to reduce the chance that their child is a victim of a child predator. As stated previously, there are at least seven sex offenders in the Maple Valley area alone. What do students think knowing that there are sex offenders within a mile of Tahoma High School?
Opinion from a student
During an interview with Ethan Downs, a student attending Tahoma High School. He was able to answer a few questions regarding child predators. Concerning the amount of sexual offenders in the Maple valley area, Downs stated.
“I feel threatened, they shouldn’t be allowed to live so close to the school.”
Not only is he concerned about the safety of himself, but for the safety of his family as well.
“I’m concerned about the safety of my little sisters, I don’t want them to be in a position where they could fall victim to a child predator.”
Online predators are a danger to our communities, and the minors of Maple Valley have the right to not want to live by offenders. Parents should be monitoring their children carefully, both with their online use and when going out in public. There are so many child predators that have yet to be caught, so it’s important to be vigilant as a parent. In conclusion, parents should monitor their children carefully because the predator predicament is in full force.
