Do you have an internet connection? That is a likely situation, seeming as how you are currently reading this article. What about kids? Do you have them? Do they have access to the internet, too? If they do, do you constantly stand behind them, closely eyeing the websites they visit, the chat rooms they enter and the people they converse with? Do you really have the time? Chances are there is at least a few minutes of your day that your child can escape from hawk's eyes and secretly do as they wish on the computer. The internet is an incredible place for adults, as well as young ones, to browse around, learn useful (and useless) information, do research for school, keep in contact with friends and relatives, share photos and get assaulted - you know, the usual.

You have a busy schedule, I am sure of it. You have probably warned your children and your teens against meeting people from the internet in person. Right? Well, meeting in person is not the only way online predators attack. Think about it this way. Your child meets a new friend in a chat room or in an internet community of some sort. Emails are exchanged. Months go by and a friendship develops. No big deal? Not all internet predators are quick to pounce. Some attackers have patience. The next thing you know, your child is exchanging pictures of your family along with these emails, your last name, maybe a phone number. After all, they are just friends right? Have you heard of websites that search names? They are like phone books. You type in a first and last name, and there it is. Phone number, address, you name it. You may think, "My child is not listed in the phone book. We are safe." When I was fifteen, I had an acquaintance who, not by my choice, acquired my last name and email address. I got an email one day saying, "I went on such and such website. I'm assuming so and so is your dad and this is your home address?" Worried yet?

Sure, not all people on the internet are bad people. But how do you know? Front Sight Firearms Training Institute offers courses in safety for children and for youth. These courses teach children and teens how to protect themselves not only physically against bullies, but also how to be aware of their surroundings and to be able to recognize threats. Also, they will learn how to recognize and deter online predators. These courses are offered because as important as it is for us adults to get self defense training, it is also crucial for our kids. We cannot always be there to protect them. If something happens while they are walking home from school, waiting for you to pick them up from the movies or just surfing the internet, you want them to be able to protect themselves, right? Front Sight can teach them those skills, so that your children can feel safe. When your children are safe, doesn't that make you feel better?