Dateline's 'To Catch a Predator'

[PerfectVerse06]

Has anyone watched any of the installments of this series, which shows how a non-profit organization (Peverted Justice) has worked to catch sexual predators from searching the internet for teens to exploit?

What are your thoughts on this epidemic?

For those of you with children who are old enough to use the internet, what steps are you taking to prevent this from happening to your child?

[firecracker08]

To say the least, this show is disturbing. These predators are so self involved that they don't believe they are doing anything wrong until they get caught. The level of conversation talking about sexual organs and what not. And they bring beer or drugs! I love to see Chris Hanson jump out and see their faces as they know they are soooo busted.

[btb87]

I watched it last night, and it is definitely disturbing. What also disturbs me is that they do first, then think later. Several of them were married, and after being confronted with what they were doing, THEN they say "My wife would kill me/divorce me if she found out." I don't know why people think they can do any doggone thing they want and there are no consequences involved.

But to think that there are that many sickos out there that prey on young kids. And little btb doesn't understand why I won't let her out of my sight. . .

To answer your questions, she doesn't chat, and I'm hoping she doesn't find out how it works, but we do talk about the weirdos in the world today.

[PerfectVerse06]

I think the series is both good and bad at the same time.

On the one hand, we as a society need to be aware of how prevalent this epidemic is. Just looking at the number of men this one organization has caught is astonding!

These men have claimed that this was their 'first time ever doing something like this', but that is SO not true. A couple of them have had prior jail sentences for doing the exact same thing months or years earlier.

Half of them said they had a feeling that the situation was a set-up, but the dummies still came to the house anyway.

I wonder what the punishment for these creeps is. It can't just be jail time because that will not solve the problem. These weirdos need psychatric help.

On the other hand, the show is doing certain things to draw ratings, IMO.

For example, last night's episode. The cop in the Swamp Thing camouflage get-up was UNNECCESARY, to say the least. I died laughing when that 6 ft. bush came running out and tackled those predators LOL!! But did they REALLY need a man dressed up like some shrubs?

And the nekkid guy who wanted the teen to perform sex acts with a cat and some Cool Whip....LAWD, no words for him! He is one SICKO for wanting to do something like that. But on the previews it made it seem like the guy just walked on in the house and stripped, when in actuality the Peverted Justice folks got him to take off his clothes by saying they'd do sex acts on the cat if he held up his end of the bargain.

I think that parents need to be more cautious of what their children are doing on the internet. There are disgusting men out there, and the show provides great examples of that.

The computer has become another technological babysitter, just like the TV. But while TV just shows violent and sexual behavior, the computer allows violent and sexual behavior to become a reality for far too many children.

[Finallypink]

I dont understand why these guys dont get it yet. There have been so many similar segments and these nuts keep showing up thinking it is their lucky day.
Despite my AVID disapproval my younger sister spends a lot of time on these boards. Whenever an older guy sends her a message she tells them that her dad is a cop and that he is sick and needs help. I guess talking to your kids helps some.

[aopirose]

Originally posted by Finallypink
I dont understand why these guys dont get it yet. There have been so many similar segments and these nuts keep showing up thinking it is their lucky day.

That's the thing. Some of these nuts have admitted to watching the show and seeing what happens. They just don't htink that it could happen to them or they are trying to get caught.

It was mentioned about the PJ crew setting up the situtations. You're right. They use these things requests like come in naked and such to solidify the "paper trail" and the case. That way the perp can't say it wasn't me.

ETA: We had a registered molester down the street from us. He notified everyone in our area. I promised Mr. aopirose that if he touched my child that he would need to get me a good lawyer.