To+Catch+a+Predator+(TV+Show)

Edward Kim

**To Catch a Predator (TV Show)** **“To Catch a Predator” Background** With the increasing number of sexual predators online, “Dateline NBC” has created a series that cracks down on Internet predators and arrests them for  breaking the law. “In the segments, which NBC began airing in 2004, the newsmagazine worked with an Internet watchdog group called Perverted Justice to contact men online who seeking to meet underage children for sex, then lure them to a house, where they were confronted on camera. Police waiting outside then arrest the men” (Gold, 2008). Members of Perverted Justice act as children online and chat with men that they believe are trying to have sex with underage children (Fulton, 2008). Once they decide to meet at a house, a decoy tells the men to come in and have a seat. The host of “To Catch a Predator”, Chris Hansen, then confronts the men and asks them what they are doing at the house. Many of the men give excuses, but Chris Hansen prepares printed documents of the online chats that the men had with the members of Perverted Justice acting as minors. Hansen then allows the men to leave, but as they leave, they are confronted and arrested by the local police. **Purpose of “To Catch a Predator” for Predators**  As children’s access to the Internet increases in the United States, online predators have become an issue for innocent children and parents. Chris Hansen (2011) notes that a recent five-year study showed that intensive treatment of 600 sexual offenders was very effective as only less than 10% were arrested again for a sex crime. Through the “To Catch a Predator” series, online predators can receive the int ensive treatment that they need so that they can have a good chance of not comm itting a crime like this in the future. Also through the embarrassment of being caught on television as an online sex predator, it can serve as a wake-up call for the offenders and help them realize they need to change their way of life. In a span of two, the series has captured 129 male predators in a total of 14 days and at least 71 of them have been convicted as of 2006 (Gallego, 2006). Although not all of these captures are showed on television, it is hoped that all of the people nabbed have learned a lesson and changed their ways.  Not only can this series affect the predators caught on the show, but it can also serve as a warning for predators that watch the show. It can teach them how severe the consequences can be and that it can change their lives if they make this mistake (Hansen, 2011). There might be potential predators out there that may have decided to make the right choice and not pursue a minor because of this series. It serves as a warning and shows the consequences of this mistake visually and effectively. **Purpose of “To Catch a Predator” for Parents/Guardians** The purpose of this series is to also educate parents about the dangers of their children being on the Internet. “Parents need to know what their kids can confront when they sit down in front of a computer” (Hansen, 2011). Many parents might be naïve and believe that Internet predators won’t be lurking around their children or even believe that these people do not exist. Since most parents are from a generation where they didn’t grow up with technology and the Internet, they might not be aware of how easily sex offenders can get in contact with their children. After watching this show and understanding what predators can do to children online, parents can take precautions and talk to their kids about the dangers of chatting with random people online. It might be hard for parents to speak about sex with their children to begin with, but this increasing concern should be addressed to their children, especially if they are heavy Internet users.  According to a research conducted by the American Psychological Association (2008), “Current educational efforts that are focused on discouraging children from giving out or posting pers onal information, warning about deception online, and urging parents to monitor their children may not be effective.” The researchers believe that additional efforts “should be directed at helping teens appreciate the drawbacks and inappropriateness of romantic relationships with adults” (American Psychological Association, 2008). The research also showed that “since many of the victims do not have good relationships with their parents, ways to reach vulnerable teens directly, through sources they find credible, need to be found” (American Psychological Association, 2008). For parents that believe that they might not be the most credible source for their children due to a tainted relationship, this show advises that someone that the children will listen to should talk to them about the dangers of the Internet. **Common Traits of an Online Predator** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%;">Through the investigations carried out by Perverted Justice and “Dateline NBC”, they were able to figure out common tactics that Internet predators used to <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 28px;">communicate with the decoy minor. Although some predators hit the ground running by asking inappropriate questions from the beginning, most people like to lure the minor into feeling comfortable with them in hopes that they will open up to them (Naugatuck Police Department, 2006). Once a predator finds out if the minor has issues in his or her life, he tries to convince the minor that he is willing and able to fill the void that the minor has in his or her life. Actual chat logs from Perverted Justice’s website show that predators listen to minors’ problems and sympathize with them so that they will become favorable to the minor, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%;">“ SnapShotDeath (minor)[12:45 PM]: i hate ny and being poor and gay <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%;"> DavieWants2 (predator)[12:46 PM]: sorry life suckss, but get over it <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%;"> SnapShotDeath [12:46 PM]: if i got a rich dad i be happy <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%;"> DavieWants2 [12:47 PM]: reely, i can make YOu reel happy boi” (Perverted Justice, 2005). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%;">Next, the predator encourages the minor to keep their relationship a secret because he knows that it is illegal to solicit a minor (Naugatuck Police Department, 2006). Once secrecy has been established, the predator often uses this moment to feed off sexual curiosity and introduce sexual content, such as pictures or using web cameras. The predator usually asks the minor their bra size or asks him or her about their sexual history, <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%;">“ vamale_692005 (7:26:16 PM): so have you ever done anything sexual...with a guy or girl? <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%;"> sweet_erin78 (7:26:35 PM): yea <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%;"> sweet_erin78 (7:26:39 PM): i did a bj before <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%;"> vamale_692005 (7:26:49 PM): mmmmm” (Perverted Justice, 2005). <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%;">When a minor starts to feel uncomfortable and attempts to stop communication or refuses to meet in person, predators are most likely to use direct intimidation and threaten them. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 150%;">Chat logs like these are recorded and used against them when they deny that they showed up at the decoy house for meet th <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">e minor. Chris Hansen reads chat logs like these to prove to the predators that the person he was talking to was actually one of the members of the Perverted Justice team. Not only do these chat logs teach parents what to expect from Internet predators, but it also shows how dangerous and harmful they can be to children.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%;">**References** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 21px;">American Psychological Association. (2008, February 19). //Most Internet Sex Offenders Aim At Teens, Not Young Children, Study Shows//. Retrieved April 6, 2011, from Science Daily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080218185101.htm

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 150%;">Fulton, M. (2008, May 25). //'To Catch a Predator': Man caught on NBC television show seeking a new trial//. Retrieved April 6, 2011, from The Valdosta Daily Times: http://valdostadailytimes.com/local/x1155908078/To-Catch-a-Predator

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 150%;">Gallego, D. (2006, August 8). //'Gotcha' Shows Aimed at Nabbing Sexual Predators Raise Controversy//. Retrieved April 6, 2011, from FOX News: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,207356,00.html

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 150%;">Gold, M. (2008, June 24). //NBC resovles lawsuit over 'To Catch a Predator' suicide//. Retrieved April 6, 2011, from LA Times: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2008/06/nbc-resolves- la.html

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 150%;">Hansen, C. (2011, January 1). //'To Catch a Predator' III//. Retrieved April 6, 2011, from MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11152602/ns/dateline_nbc/

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 150%;">Naugatuck Police Department. (2006, June 7). //Protecting Children From Online Predators//. Retrieved April 7, 2011, from Eyewitness News 3: http://www.wfsb.com/onlinesafety/9338473/detail.html

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 28px;"> Perverted Justice. (2005, July 8). //Actual Chat Log of Predator and Perverted Justice Member//. Retrieved April 7, 2011, from Perverted Justice: http://www.perverted- justice.com/?archive=DavieWants2