Child Safety

    Young children are naturally more susceptible to being tricked by adults because they have limited cognitive development and a lack of life experience. They have not yet encountered a wide range of situations and people, so they haven’t developed the necessary skepticism or awareness to recognize deceptive behavior. They trust adults and authority figures and have a strong desire for their approval and validation. Manipulative adults can take advantage of this to deceive and exploit children. Protect your children and learn these five common predator lures:

1. The Helpless Lure – This is the person who needs help carrying boxes to his car or finding a lost pet. Children need to be made aware that if an adult needs help, they will ask another adult and not a child.

2. The Promise Lure – The predator promises to take the child to Mommy, Daddy or to see something special like a kitten or puppy.

3. The Gift Giving Lure – This is the predator who gives the child candy, toys, money, or other gifts. Children need to know ahead of time that they should never take anything from a stranger without their parent’s permission.

4. The Messenger Lure – In this situation the predator is acting as a direct messenger for the parent. “Your Mommy was in a car accident and asked me to bring you to her.” They will often impersonate a person of authority.

5. The Magician Lure – The predator seemingly magically knows the child’s name, parent’s name, or other information about the child which makes the child believe this person can be trusted. Names displayed on backpacks, lunch boxes, or clothing can easily give them enough information to fool an innocent child.

    It’s important for adults to be aware of these vulnerabilities and take appropriate measures to protect children from manipulation and deception. During early childhood, children tend to view the world from their own perspective and may struggle to understand that others can have different intentions or motives. Role playing and participating in scenario-based training can help build confidence and resiliency. Glen Stevens (COBRA Australia Regional Director) developed the COBRA Child Abduction Prevention (C.A.P.) course for children ages 4-12.  This two-hour class is taught world-wide and focuses on informing parents and keeping children safe from predators. It is important to teach children about personal safety, critical thinking, and developing a healthy skepticism without instilling fear or mistrust. 

Learn more about the COBRA CAP Program