To Catch a Predator: Protecting Your Kids From Online Predators
I heard author Chris Hanson on the radio talking about his new book, To Catch a Predator: Protecting Your Kids from Online Enemies Already in Your Home.
Hansen is the correspondent for the “To Catch a Predator” series on Dateline. In his book, Hansen shares the many stories of the victims who have motivated him to speak out. Their accounts expose the twisted psychology and workings of men who prey on children and teens, how they manipulate their victims and their loved ones, and the way they’ve destroyed children, families, and communities. Hansen also explores effective punishment and treatments to stamp out the crime.
Inside the pages you will find:
* What motivates child predators and how they choose their prey.
* An in-depth look at child victims and what made them targets.
* What happens to families who suddenly discover they are living with a child predator.
* What detectives, therapists and child predators feel are the best deterrents and treatments to prevent this crime.
* What parents must do to protect their kids online, what sites to block, and what software to get.
* And, most important, how parents can talk to children about on-line safety WITHOUT scaring them.
You can read an excerpt of the book on the MSNBC website.
Click here to watch Hansen being interviewed by Meredith Vieriera on the TODAY Show.
Check out the book. Then watch the show with your kids and talk about how to be safe while they’re on the computer. Most importantly, tell them that they need to come to you if someone approaches them online so you both can report the incident to the police.
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sexual predators, chat rooms, protecting children, sexual abuse, online predators, online safety, To Catch a Predator, Dateline
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:55 am
I definitely want to read his book. I have no idea how he doesn’t just peel off his skin when dealing with these schmucks that show up at the decoy houses. I do worry though about the long term effects on the Perverted Justice consultants from talking/chatting with these miscreants long term. I know it’s for a greater good but there is a reason most people in law enforcement don’t usually stay long in sex crimes. A little bit goes a long way and I wonder how healthy it is for people like ”Dell” who have been with them for so long to stay immersed in the day to day grit.
April 2nd, 2007 at 3:46 pm
This book isn’t about bad teachers though right? I think it’s important to note that some of these men doing these disgusting thing are just regular family men.
I also think it’s a bit harsh on the teaching profession to NEVER post about a great teacher in order to augment those that are literal trash. As I read your posts, I can’t help get the feeling that soon no one will trust teachers and trust is so important. I know your site says it is about bad teachers and that’s what you’ll talk about, but just be sure the good ones are getting slammed because only one side of the picture is being represented.
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:13 pm
This is a book I’m going to have to find. Thanks for sharing the information on it. I hope it saves many children from such a terrible abuse.
April 3rd, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Just a reply to Anna. No the book is about sexual predators in general, though several of the teachers I have reported on have used emails and text messaging to contact the students.
My aim on this blog is to give parents the tools they need to combat and prevent sexual abuse and child abuse at the hands of teachers or any other adults their child may come in contact with. So that’s why I highlighted the book.
Any my goal on this blog is to expose these people and give parents and kids the courage to report them. If you are an involved parent who volunteers at school, goes to the parent0teacher conferences, and talks to their kids and their friends, they’ll know if any adult in their child’s life is worth trusting.
If you want to read about all the great teachers out there - THE VAST MAJORITY thank goodness - there are plenty of other places, from the popular media, to education sites.
April 30th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
[...] And people wondered why I posted last week about Chris Hanson’s book To Catch a Predator: Protecting Your Kids from Online Enemies Already in Your Home. [...]