Dangers of Internet Chatting
The Internet is a powerful venue for socializing. Users have access in various ways to chat with others through private messages on websites, a group in chat rooms or through instant messages. But there are dangers involved with Internet chatting.
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Addiction
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Internet chatting can become addictive. Some people live vicariously through their computer. Instead of forming face-to-face relationships, they form numerous relationships through Internet chatting. Some might get so addicted they find it difficult to get away from the computer and out in the real world.
Anonymity
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Users behind a computer can pretend to be anyone. Through text, they can fake their age, gender, location or anything. This means the person who might seem trustworthy while chatting could be a con artist with intentions to harm or even kill.
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Bullying
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Internet chatting is often used for bullying. An individual or a group might attempt to humiliate, harass or threaten someone. They can spread rumors to tarnish someone's reputation or threaten to the point of intimidation. All of this can be done anonymously.
Sexual Predators
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Sexual predators often use the Internet as a place to target their victims. This is especially true with pedophiles. They target chat rooms or websites where children are likely to hang out. They often pose as a child and strike up relevant conversations to lure children, attempting to meet them in person and commit sexual crimes.
Solicitation
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Chat rooms and websites are full of solicitation. There are automated systems that send private messages to those in chat rooms with an invitation to view Web cams. Children can easily be exposed to this type of solicitation.
Vulnerability
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Children and teens are especially vulnerable to giving out personal information to strangers on the Internet. This can turn deadly. Without parental guidance, teens are apt to trust too easily and be drawn in by the charm of a stranger. They might even plan to secretly meet a stranger they have chatted with, never thinking of the possible danger.
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References
Resources
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