Tools

Cell Chatting Risky for Kids

By WINK News
By Max Turnier

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Cyber crimes investigators say kids and teens who have Internet on their cell phones may be more susceptible to sexual predators.

"The dangers we see with kids in chat rooms on computers are now becoming the dangers on cell phones," said Tampa cyber crime investigator Lt. Michael Baute'.

Police arrested Adam Norsell earlier this week for allegedly having a sexually explicit on-line chat with a 14-year-old girl, and arranging to meet her. Reports say Norsell was using his cell phone to chat on-line with the girl.

Many phones can now access the same Internet as a home computer, from search engines, to chat sites.

Some providers are offering better protection. "The way the network works, they probably read what type of signal that's coming in, and block out chat functions," said cellular salesman Manuel Nizama.

Parents can monitor how much Internet time is used through carrier web sites. Some even allow you to track what web sites the user is visiting.

"Parents also have the option of canceling cell phone Internet all together," said Nizama.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
More On Demand