How to Detect a Pedophile on MySpace

Unfortunately, there are pedophiles who use MySpace to lure children and young teens into their grasp. Whether you are a child or a parent, it is important for you to know how to detect a pedophile on MySpace. This way, you will be able to stay safe or keep your child safe from sexual predators.

Instructions

1. Check if you know the person already. If you don't know him, question why he is interested in talking to you. If he wants to know how old you are, your gender and your location right away, that is a huge red flag. In addition, if his profile says he is your age, don't believe that right away. Pedophiles will sometimes lie about their age to get you to let your guard down.

2. Look at the person's pictures. If he has only one or two pictures, be careful. The person might be using pictures of someone else to make you think he is younger than he really is. On the other hand, the pictures could be of him but from many years before. Check clothing, hairstyles and any automobiles in the background for possible giveaways that the pictures are dated.

3. Pay close attention to the person's conversation style. A pedophile will be extra nice and will usually agree with everything that you say.

4. Trust your instinct if it is telling you that this new person seems strange or not trustworthy. You are probably right, and even if you aren't, it's best to stay safe.

5. Inspect the person's friends and any comments they have made on each other's profiles. Usually, a pedophile will have many of one type of friend, such as mostly 15-year-old girls.

6. Know that a pedophile will be very interested in anything going on in your life. It is often possible to find out where someone lives by asking a few seemingly harmless questions--for example, "What sport do you play?" "Do you live nearby your favorite hangout?" and "Do you have any pets?" If he knows you play third base in softball and that you have a golden retriever for a pet, all he has to do is follow girls who play third base home from softball games in your town until he finds a house with a golden retriever. He has probably found you.

7. Be aware that even people you know could possibly be pedophiles. Always keep up your guard.

Tips & Warnings

• If you suspect that someone on MySpace could possibly be a pedophile, block them. If anyone has gone as far as to make sexually suggestive comments, tell your parents and report them to authorities immediately.

• Change your MySpace settings so that only people who know your last name and email address can contact you or add you as a friend. In addition, set your profile to private, set your pictures to private and don't include your last name or the name of your city anywhere on your profile.

• Don't ever meet anyone in person that you have met on MySpace. If you must meet them, do so in a public place with your parents. If they try to convince you to meet alone, alert your parents and report them to authorities.