What parent has had that moment of fright when the child who was just at your side is gone? Usually the child has seen something of interest and just gone to investigate, or has gotten separated in a crowd, such as being at a carnival, and although it may only two seconds to locate your child, it feels like two years and when you do find them your heart is racing, your hands are shaking and you don't know whether to hug them or scold them. The possibility of someone taking our child is a real fear every parent carries with them. Just pick up a newspaper or watch the evening news and reports of children being kidnapped or abducted are constant and the heartbreak of the parents is just so overwhelming. Now what if there was a technology that could find that child instantly? GPS technology is now being used to help keep track of children and allow parents to know where their child is at all times. These devices are usually small enough to fit anywhere-backpack, pants or coat pocket, etc. and lightweight enough not to be burdensome. Some of these have pre-programmable buttons so the child can keep in touch with their parents or call for help if necessary. These devices range from tracking devices that will beep until the child is found, to cell phones with GPS technology installed, to watches that if forcibly removed will automatically activate. There are even backpacks available with GPS technology installed. Some of these will activate if the child is too far away from the parent. And there is even one that is implanted in a shoe. Of course the main problems with these are the child is going to lose them, or if the child is abducted they can easily be disposed of. I can envision the day when it will be possible to have a GPS transmitter implanted in a child via an injection or some other simple manner. There are other concerns also. Are only children with parents who can afford this technology are going to benefit. Is this going to increase the number of lower class children, whose parents can't afford this new technology, being abducted? Will someone, such as a child molester or kidnapper, find a way to use a child's transmitter signal to locate the child? Also how are our children to adjust to the fact that they are constantly being monitored? How secure are our children going to feel knowing that the world is so dangerous that their parents need to know where they are at all times? Are we stripping a part of their childhood away from them? Who doesn't remember, as a kid, going somewhere you knew your parents didn't want you to go, but as children we are adventurers, and if we got into trouble or got ?caught? being where we shouldn't be, we more than likely not only got punished but also learned a lesson. We grow and mature by making mistakes and learning from them, are we going to take part of this education away from our children? At what age do we stop? Do we continue to monitor them through their teen-age years? A time that can be the hardest time of any child's or parents life, it's a time where a teenager needs to mature and a parent needs to learn to ?let go? and allow the child to learn on their own-mistakes and all. Although this technology has some very great qualities in the protection of our children, the possibility of abusing this technology must also be addressed. We all want our children to be safe, yet at the same time they must be allowed to grow to become functional adults.
Unfortunately the reality is, you can't always be with your child. Occasionally your child is left in the care and supervision of other adults. As horrible as it is to imagine, the fact is, most child abductions occur by close family friends and/or other adults that the child is already familiar with. However, here are a few things you can teach your child that will empower them with the awareness they need to help keep them safe...even when you can't be there.
Let's begin...
There are "flags" that you can teach your child to be aware of, that seem to occur on a consistent bases with child abductions. One of those "flags" is that predators or would be predators often will test their potential victims. They will try and see how a child will react to seeming innocent situations. They often do this by seeing if the child can "keep a secret."
Your child should know to ALWAYS tell you if someone has asked them or wants them to keep a "secret"
That no one should ever, ever touch or attempt to touch them in ANY part of their body covered by a bathing suit. And that they should never touch anyone in these areas either. Explain to them that the body is special and private.
To ask anyone who drives him anywhere, not to leave him alone in the car-but if he is alone in a car, to put up the windows, leaving a "finger" space between the window glass and the rim, and to lock the doors and stay near the car horn. If a stranger approaches the car, he should blow the horn until help arrives.
That she has the right to say NO to anyone who tries to take her somewhere, touches her, or makes her feel uncomfortable in any way.
If anyone tries to take them away to yell, "This is NOT my parent!" And keep yelling, even kicking and screaming. But ALWAYS use the words "This is not my parent!"
To never accept a ride with anyone else than who you allowed them to go with in the first place. Occasionally, abductors or child abduction schemes will involve a "hand off" of the child, after the child has been allowed to go with someone who is close and familiar to the family.
Your child should always ask permission to leave the yard or to go to a neighbors house. Older children should phone home to tell you where they are, especially if they change locations.
Your child should NEVER hitch hike! If your child calls and needs you pick them up, or needs a ride to go to another location. Stop what your doing and take them! They could have made a worse decision. They could be avoiding getting in a car with a drunk driver, or avoiding one of the dangers you taught them about. Give them the ride, it's easier than dealing with the stress and emotional drain of having a missing child. Or even worse yet, identifying your childs body.
Teach your child to be home before dark. They may give you a hard time, but they will surely thank you later in life. And if they find themselves "late," to stay away from dark or abandoned places.
And finally, teach your child to To avoid adults who are waiting around a playground - particularly an adult who wants to play with them and their friends.
I hope you have found this 3 part series "Child Safety and Child Protection: Easy Steps You Can Take" usefull. The information you have been provided was compiled by multiple missing child agencies from all over the United States. These are the investigators on the front lines of the more than 1.4 Million missing child cases that are reported every single year.
Use the information I have provided for you and don't take your childs' safety lightly. Practice these child safety and child protection techniques. It's important we all do our part to keeping the children of the world safe, and out of danger, today, tomarrow, and everyday for the rest of their lives.
Both Angie Carter & Thomas Trotts are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Angie Carter has sinced written about articles on various topics from Kids and Teens, Mobile Phone Reviews and Psychic Readings. The author is a successful, independent business woman who is a nurse by profession and remains to actively practice.. Angie Carter's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.
Thomas Trotts has sinced written about articles on various topics from Kids and Teens, Legal Matters and Parenting. Thomas Trotts is a Expert, dedicated to providing quality Child Protection Services, Resources for parents and families. Free Gift and more: Alert Child, U. Thomas Trotts's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.