Digital Photography: A Danger to Kids?

Justin Berry became adept with a webcam at an early age. On April 4, Berry, now 19, testified before a Congressional committee. He gave details about the fact that he was performing sexual acts over his webcam for groups of adult onlookers on the Internet. In return, Berry was showered with money and gifts from his online clientele. He told his story to New York Times reporter Kurt Eichenwald, after Eichenwald met Justin online and convinced him to tell his story and share the names of those who would take advantage of minors. Justin's testimony expressed his disappointment and frustration with law enforcement because there has only been one arrest since he turned in the names.

Two days later, Berry's experience was underscored when a headline story featured Brian Doyle, 55, deputy press secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, who was arrested for contacting a minor online and engaging the "14-year-old" in a sexually explicit conversation. The minor turned out to be an FBI undercover detective.

As a parent who's lived through the threat of "preferential intruders" (the new, gentler, more inclusive name for those who prey on certain groups like minors) since the early days of online chat, I can tell you that if you expect law enforcement to solve the problems of Internet solicitation you're going to be disappointed.

Not a week goes by where these agents don't ferret out an offender, but the agents are overworked, underpowered, and each arrest involves an enormous amount of preparation before any sort conviction is possible.

Every time the Justins or Brians of the world make the headlines, parents are justifiably upset. But in fact, since the early 1990s when the problem was really brought to light, very little has changed. Filtering technology, legislation, and even educational programs have crept along in inches-not feet. Parents are waking up and recognizing they're going to have to shoulder the bulk of the burden when it comes to protecting their kids in cyberspace.

The majority of cases involving predators and minors begin in chat rooms and then move to places where private messaging can take place.

Previously, I've posted an Internet Resource guide where parents can find out more information, but in light of this week's news events, we should be mindful of the hardware we keep.

Webcams, digital cameras, and phone cameras can be dangerous weapons when put in the hands of a minor with low self-esteem or a tendency towards high-risk behavior. If you're giving your children these tools set firm rules and keep a watchful eye. "Text and stones may break my bones, put it's photos that can harm me" might be a parents' credo for the Internet age.