Show #492 Airing Sunday 9/6/09
Facebook, on line chats, Google groups – the internet offers exciting ways to connect with others. But it also offers criminals a frightening way to get access to innocent lives – especially our children and grandchildren. How can we protect them from online predators? Police Officer Kevin Owens asked himself that same question – and he’s here today to share his answer.
Question: You've had some experience dealing with these online predators. Tell us about that.
Answer: In 2001, I was part of a task force where I, along with other undercover officers, posed as children online. Predators would engage us in conversations and even arrange meetings. This effort resulted in numerous cases and arrests.
Question: By this time, you had already created a Power Point presentation on internet safety. After your undercover experience, you focused on developing the idea even more.
Answer: That’s right. My partner and I – along with our wives – wrote and created e-Copp, which is an acronym for Education Children’s Online Protection Program.
E-Copp is a series of animated/cartoon lessons geared to young children. It’s “stranger danger” teaching that widens out to include the internet.
By creating a DVD and curriculum – including workbooks for students and a handbook for educators – we felt we could reach more children in a more direct and effective way.
Question: What does the DVD cover?
Answer: There are four segments in the program:
- Instant messaging
- Chatting online
- User profiles
- And how to avoid danger out in the real world, when you leave your laptop behind.
Question: Can you give us an example of what you teach in each one of the segments?
Answer: Sure. Let’s look at user profiles.
In general, we say don’t use them – and here’s why:
Let’s say your child or grandchild is on Facebook – and they’ve posted a profile – not married, date of birth, etc.
And, here’s the thing – it’s very easy to see someone else’s Facebook – even if they haven’t “friended” the other person.
Nothing is really private online.
An online predator looks at the profile and can possibly see how old the child is, what school they go to, if they’re on sports teams, etc.
Just a little time on Google or another search engine can then give them a phone number, an address, the sports schedule – and they can show up where the child lives or has an activity.
Question: That's terrifying! Does teaching this lesson scare children?
Answer: No. We present the information in a very gentle – even fun - way – that’s why we chose to share it with a simple cartoon. But we still make it clear how to be safe.
For example, our “bad guy” is a smiling yellow face who turns green as he exhibits behaviors to be on watch for.
And I’m the voice of a dog – so I bark through the whole thing!
And remember – there’s a teacher – or parent or grandparent – presenting the program to the child and working through the lessons with them.
Question: I want to make sure our viewers can get more information on e-Copp. How would they do that?
Answer: They can call 216-382-4221 or our web address is www.e-copp.com
There is nothing more important than keeping your children and grandchildren safe. Kevin’s program – e-Copp – could help. We have the information on how to find out more about it next. My thanks to Officer Kevin Owens for joining us today.
