Some predators initiate sexual talk or request pictures immediately and back off if refused.Most reveal that they’re older – which is especially appealing to 12-to-15-year-olds who are most often targeted. Only 5 percent of online predators pretend they’re kids.The concern: I don’t even understand how this works – does an adult pose as a kid, then ask to meet? If your kid’s a gamer, use these questions to probe deeper: Do you like multiplayer games – and why? Do you chat with others while you’re gaming? What’s been your experience so far? What would you do if someone you didn’t know contacted you? Help them set privacy settings to limit the contacts in their games. Find out how they chat – is it through an app or through their phone’s SMS texting? (If they’re using an app, it won’t be easy for you to see it, so ask to do occasional spot checks.) Make rules around who they can chat with – for instance, only people they know in real life. Set rules about times and places for device use – for example, banning phones and tablets from bedrooms. If they’re on social media, friend or follow them. The strategy: First, stay on top of what your kid is doing online by asking them which apps, games, and other tech they use. What parents should know about videochat, live-streaming apps

Predator vs prey parental care