Since the advent of the internet, the federal government has taken many measures to protect the youth. In response to the rise of the internet, the government created the "Communications Decency Act of 1996". It was the government's first attempt to restrict pornographic material online. Things that became illegal:
knowingly (A) uses an interactive computer service to send to a specific person or persons under 18 years of age, or (B) uses any interactive computer service to display in a manner available to a person under 18 years of age, any comment, request, suggestion, proposal, image, or other communication that, in context, depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards, sexual or excretory activities or organs.
Although laws have been enacted, children are more exposed then ever. That is why parents have to take the initiative to protect their children. The FBI has taken measures by producing a publication, A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety, to help parents protect their children. They state many signs that should raise concerns:
"Your child spends large amounts of time on-line, especially at night, You find pornography on your child's computer, Your child receives phone calls from men you don't know or is making calls, sometimes long distance, to numbers you don't recognize, Your child turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room, Your child becomes withdrawn from the family, Your child is using an on-line account belonging to someone else."
If you suspect your child is communicating with a sexual predator online, or you want to minimize the possibility of such interactions, the FBI suggest thing like:
Consider talking openly with your child about your suspicions. Tell them about the dangers of computer-sex offenders.Review what is on your child's computer. If you don't know how, ask a friend, coworker, relative, or other knowledgeable person. Pornography or any kind of sexual communication can be a warning sign.