We Must Protect Our Children:

Everyone reading this paper would agree, that it is amazing how fast the times have changed. It is amazing how it seems like just yesterday the early 90’s were here and CNN was the first to bring you international events instantly. It seems like just yesterday, that many of us were amazed at the long buzzing, static sound of AOL logging online to a voice that coined the phrase, “You’ve Got Mail.” We have certainly come a long way.

Today, our teens log online instantly at speeds the 90s could only dream about. With the click of the finger they jump on the Internet and toss out their diaries and journals to a new online form called “blogs.” It is estimated that close to 90 percent of high school students and college students in the United States have a blog and profile on MySpace.Com, Facebook.com or Xanga.Com. Ask any teen and they will openly tell you they are “addicted” to blogging.

For those that are wondering why, I will tell you. For the first time friends that may have moved across the country or to another city, or classmates that want to keep friends updated, now have an outlet to network. You can join groups of things in common, network and make friends almost instantly. However, the reality is that much more can happen.

Instantly, predators and individuals that prey on the most vulnerable, your teen, can now learn everything they need to know about them, because unfortunately many teens put every bit of personal information on these sites.

Therefore, we need to make sure that our children in these technologically booming times are protected. Predator law’s, such as “Jessica’s Law”, are ways to tell those predators, that are searching as we speak, that Missouri will protect the children of this state.

However, no matter how harsh the laws are, there will always be those that seek to harm teens. So as parents, teachers, older brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles and neighbors, the time is now to open the dialect with the teens that you know best. Talk to them about these sites and hear first hand why they love them. Then talk to them, as someone that loves and cares for them, about being safe and responsible. About not placing their cell phone numbers and very personal information in cyberspace (because they do) and the dangers of meeting people you do not know online. Let them know that there are ways to enjoy the technology while being responsible. Together as parents, teachers and elected officials our children and communities will be safer.

Chris Moreno is the Democratic Candidate for State Representative in Missouri’s 48th District, is elected to the Jackson County Democratic Committee representing the Lee’s Summit area, member of the Raytown Democratic Association, Summit Democratic Club and Lee’s Summit Breakfast Optimist Club.