1. Disallow chat rooms. Monitor your children's social networking.
Chat rooms are the playground of today's sexual predator. Teach your children to never give personal information over the Internet, such as name, address, telephone number. (Approximately 89% of sexual solicitations of youth were made in either chat rooms or through Instant Messaging (Pew Study reported in JAMA, 2001).
2. Place your computer in an area of your home where you can easily supervise your child's Internet activity.
65% of all parents and 64% of all teens say that teens do things online that they wouldn’t want their parents to know about (Pew Internet & American Life Project, March 17, 2005).
3. Learn about the people with whom your child is spending time.
Encourage your children to feel comfortable telling you anything, especially if it involves another adult. Know your child's friends, and their parents.
4. Never leave children unattended in an automobile, whether it is running or not.
Children should never be left unsupervised or allowed to spend time alone, especially in a public place.
5. Be an active participant with your children's activities.
You will have a better opportunity to observe how the adults in charge interact with your children. Whether it be sports, dance, band or any other form of activity, be involved.
6. Listen to your children.
Pay attention if they tell you that they do not want to be with someone or go somewhere. Be sensitive to any changes in your children's behavior or attitude. Dig deeper, find out why. It may be more than a simple dislike of the person or place.
7. Screen baby sitters and care givers.
Never leave your child with someone you don't thoroughly trust. Using the Safe Haven iphone application is an excellent way to screen those who watch over your child. Whether it be family members, teachers, coaches or friends, know who you leave in care of your child. In the majority of cases, up to 90%, children are molested by someone they know.
8. Be aware of suspicious looking persons or vehicles.
Especially near schools or in your neighborhood. Alert local authorities of suspicious activities. Always take your child to or meet them at the bus stop. Never let them walk home alone.
9. Teach your kids that they have the right to say NO to any unwelcome, uncomfortable, or confusing touch or actions by others.
Have a caring heart to heart with your child and approach the subject delicately. Children need to know that they can trust and count on their parents.
10. Notice when someone shows one or all of your children a great deal of attention or begins giving them gifts.
Find out why and stop the behavior if necessary.
In a world where the safety of your family is threatened at every turn, it’s more important than ever to find protection from the storm. This is why Safe Haven opened its doors and created a iPhone application that helps to protect the Family and our Communities.
