Parents must monitor Internet use to avoid predators

“We want to remind parents that they have to be aware” and monitor Web sites used by their children.“There are a bunch of predators out there and this is how they work,” said Sgt. Cordero.Although Ponce’s arrest came quickly after the initial report to police “we don’t know if he had other victims but the possibility is always there...it’s quite common for these individuals to make contact over the Internet. When you’re dealing with a child or a juvenile like this I don’t think they can formulate in their mind what is right or wrong or if they even want to be involved” with someone who is virtually a stranger. “And individuals take advantage of that,” Sgt. Cordero noted.Children will always be able to find a way to access a computer and “some know more about computers than their parents do. Parents just have monitor their online activities...there are programs out there where they can see what their kids are doing and what Web sites they are on,” and it’s a good idea to have the computer in a room in the house where usage can be easily observed.Sgt. Cordero said that a new Crime Prevention Program that is being finalized will “also have a section that deals with child Internet safety. We’ll be putting that together in the future for parents” who want to assure that their child is not exposed to an Internet savvy predator.