SOME FACTS ABOUT TODAY'S INTERNET:
compiled by:
Brooke Jones


* According to the Federal Government, there are more than 2,200
Web Sites currently devoted to preaching racism, hatred and
genocide, and those Sites are specifically targeted at children
and young adults, for the purpose of recruitment
 
* Government records indicate that membership in groups such as
the KKK and the Aryan Nation is now at an all-time high, thanks,
in large measure, to the online activities of these groups 
 
* An estimated 18.8 million children under the age of 18 have
access to home computers and the Internet
 
* Teens use the Internet an average of 8.5 hours per week, and
only 1.8 of those hours are related to school work (PRNewswire)

* 71% of today's parents stop paying attention to their child's
Internet activities when the child reaches the age of 14 or 15
 
* The majority of children who engage in dangerous online
activities, or are victimized by online "strangers" are between
the ages of 14 and 17
 
* 62% of today's children make regular use of the Internet
 
* 35% of today's parents make regular use of the Internet
 
* 70% of sexual offenders who commit crimes linked to the
Internet, get away with an average of 30 such crimes before being
caught
 
* Criminals roam the Internet just as they roam the streets.  The
anonymous nature of the online relationship allows users to
misrepresent their age, gender or interests - to reach into the
home and befriend a child (Rep. Bill McCollum, R-Fla)
 
* Pedophiles and other sexual predators have tapped into the
Internet as one of the most prevalent ways to recruit children for
sex.  A child does not know if he is chatting with a 14-year-old
or a 40-year-old.  (Steven Wiley/FBI Violent Crimes Chief)
 
* The incidents of child molestation that can be directly linked
to online contact has risen at a terrifying rate.  As a result,
the FBI now labels online Chat Rooms as "virtual playgrounds for
pedophiles".
 
* In a recent CBS News Poll, 75% of all parents were absolutely
convinced that their children have spent time accessing Web Sites
that offer violence, drugs, hatred, or pornography.
 
* In March of 1998, there were 100,000 commercial pornography Web
Sites on the Internet, and an estimated 200 new Sites created
every day. (S. Adam/ Sterling Solutions)
 
* Children online are at the greatest risk during the evening
hours.  Offenders spend their evenings online trying to locate and
lure children.  Computer sex offenders almost always meet
potential victims via Chat Rooms.  After meeting a child online,
they will continue to communicate electronically, often via email.
(FBI Library)
 
* While a child may have been taught never to give out a home
phone number, computer-savvy stalkers will always give out their
own number, and then urge the child to phone collect.  Of course,
when the child calls, the stalker is able to learn their number
either from Caller ID, or a phone bill. (FBI Library)
 
* Dozens of Web Sites exist for the sole purpose of teaching
children step-by-step techniques for deleting, defeating, or
circumventing blocking and filtering software (peacefire.com is
just one example)


{Former Hollywood screenwriter and Talk Radio Host Brooke Jones is
a single mother, a freelance writer, and an expert in the field of
Internet Safety.  She is also the Media Director of the Ribbon Of
Promise NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO END SCHOOL VIOLENCE.  Ms. Jones'
articles on this subject have been published in countless
newspapers and magazines around the country, and are frequently
posted on a variety of parent-oriented Web Sites.  In addition to
writing about Internet Safety, Ms. Jones conducts Seminars for
parents, school administrators, law enforcement personnel, elected
officials,  and concerned citizens.  To contact Ms. Jones, please
e-mail her at: bjones0399@aol.com}