Internet proxy experts at Geonode have conducted research on the dark web that reveals parents need to be extra vigilante of new tactics to lure children over the web.
Geonode scrapped over 50 forums, and chat room websites, such as Chat to go, Kids Chat Net and even Facebook groups and gaming forums such as Roblox targeting kids as young as 12 into meeting for free prime giveaways.
We also looked at Google searches around free prime drink meet ups, that has a shocking 789% increase from last month. We can’t see what the ages the searches come from, but it’s definitely something we should be aware of.
Spokeswoman and internet safety lead Sophie Chanel said: Although we can’t be certain of the malicious intent, it’s worrying that adults are running these ‘schemes & competitions’ aimed vulnerable kids. We need to as parents ensure our kids are not being manipulated on what we might think are harmless sites.
Geonode put together some simple internet safety tips to help parents guide their kids away from these targeted schemes:
What Parents Can Do to Keep Their Kids Safe Online
Keep your children’s computer in a common area of the home to monitor their Internet activity.
Check your child’s browser history frequently.
Use security software or tools.
Activate privacy features through your browser or internet service provider.
Know what other computers or devices your child is using.
Know your children’s passwords.
Watch for changes in your child’s behavior that may indicate cyberbullying or contact with an online sexual predator.
