The most effective defense mechanism is to educate your child on how to keep himself safe. Children must remember that they should never reveal their real name, their age or where they live to a stranger. Chat rooms are where online predators target the most. Because chat rooms are private and likely won't be supervised by adults, predators use them to find their victims. Before a child can talk online to someone they don't know, the child should talk about this person with their parents or guardians. If a predator texts a child, they should know it's not their fault. Predators try to make the child feel as if they are responsible for responding to a predator. Online predators attempt to get into the child's comfort zone by making it seem like they are trying to be their friend. Children should be sure to tell an adult if they feel uncomfortable around anyone on the Internet. After a child tells a parent or guardian, they will take action by calling the police. Children may feel scared when it comes to this because they will be asked a lot of questions or even have their computers searched. Parents need to make sure they explain to the child that what the other person is doing is wrong and is against the law. Knowing how to recognize a predator can help children. If a person starts talking to the child, the child should ask himself these questions: This person is extremely nice, has asked to meet you in person, asking if you are in a relationship, and has a strange username. By asking these questions, children can avoid becoming victims. Tips for kids and teens include: Don't use provocative or sexy names, be careful about subtle... middle of paper... technology, parents need to make sure they keep up with technology. If parents are not up to date on technology, children may have a greater chance of encountering an online predator. With the rise of technology and social forums, the risk of online predation has never been higher. Both children and parents can find ways to prevent online predators. By being informed, parents can reduce the chances of their child becoming a victim. While the Internet has helped society greatly by allowing us to stay connected to people around the world, it has also caused conflict. The warning signs are obvious and should be seen by parents quite easily. As long as a parent shows interest in what the child is doing, predation should never occur. Predators are everywhere and if parents don't keep up with their children, something can happen to them.