The Internet has shaped our world in a new way and given us access to information like never before.

Nothing in the world is perfect though, and everything has its pros and cons including the Internet.

“The Calhoun Police are beginning to see an increase in the amount of Internet crimes committed against children and young adults,” Calhoun Police Chief Garry Moss said.

Detective Lt. Tony Pyle of the Calhoun Police said within the past three to five years the number of Internet crimes has doubled.

What is happening is kids are going online and becoming victims of solicitations. Lt. Pyle said “this is nothing new that predators just realized.” He seems to think the popularity of some social media sites have made the danger increasingly more apparent.

As part of their efforts to combat these crimes Calhoun Police have compiled a list of guidelines for parents and guardians to help keep their children safe while navigating the Internet.

The Calhoun Police are trying to help their initiatives by taking preventative measures.

Lt. Pyle said the main thing they are trying to do is stop it before it begins, and they want to get the parents involved, which would be very beneficial to their pursuit.

There are dangers in every part of our society. By educating children to these dangers and taking appropriate steps to protect them, they can benefit from the wealth of information now available on-line, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) website.

Internet predators can come in any shape and form, and they don’t have to be your stereotypical suspect.

According to the FBI website parents and children should remember that a computer-sex offender can be any age or sex. The person does not have to fit the caricature of a dirty, unkempt, older man wearing a raincoat to be someone who could harm a child.

Lt. Pyle said most parents have an illusion of safety because “the computer is in their home, and the child is in their room,” but don’t be fooled, the risks are still there.

“As society becomes increasingly technology dependent, children will benefit from becoming computer literate at an early age, however the Internet can be a very dangerous place and is a prime hunting ground for child predators,” Lt. Pyle said. “Establishing a few simple rules when allowing children access to a computer will aid parents in their quest to keep their children safe while surfing the Internet.”

For more information please visit www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/parent-guide.

Safety Tips for kids online

Parents should always monitor children’s emails, chat room conversations and any websites they visit.

Advise children to never give out identifying information, such as name, address, phone numbers, school they attend, etc.

Never respond to contests, surveys or special offers.

Never open emails from unknown senders

Never accept a friend request from anyone they do not personally know

If your child receives a request to meet in person, parents should save the message and contact law-enforcement as soon as possible.