I work from home now and have had the opportunity to watch much of Oprah's last season, much like her first seasons when I was at home raising my children. 

Her message is consistent, short and oh so very powerful.  She said on her farewell show that the lesson that she wants people to take away from her show:

"You are responsible for the energy that you send out to the world – "No matter what your momma did or your daddy didn't do."  YOU are responsible for Your Life and what you do with it. 

She also reminded us that everyone has a purpose, that we all have a platform in which to share our message, wether it's your mirror or your kids, family and friends or your circle is on a larger scale and you have the opportunity (and responsibility) to use that platform to share your energy and message. 

Some of her last words on the show were of her one shortfall:

"People ask, Do I have regrets? I have none, really, about this show. But the one thing I feel I was not able to bring enough attention to, although I tried in 217 shows, was the sexual seduction, molestation and rape of children, worse now with the Internet than it was 25 years ago…"

Oprah has fought this fight throughout her 25 year long reign as the Queen of Talk Shows.  There are over 180 videos on her YouTube channel about sexual predators and over 80 pages of articles on Internet Sexual Predators.

I have been given the opportunity for THIS platform that you are reading on right now.  KidSafe.com has been a passion of mine since I started with the company several years ago as the Executive Assistant to the founder and CEO of a company wholly dedicated to keeping kids safe online and provide a platform where kids can play safely on the internet.   My boss saw my passion and my ability over the years and named me Content Manager.   

I had always secretly wanted to be a writer, and teacher to help kids grow up and be the very best kids they could regardless of their station.  To share the message that:

Where you are born or to whom you are born makes NO difference in the eyes of your creator.  It is just enough that YOU were born and that you have a responsibility to yourself and the world to make the very best of what you do with YOUR life.

So here I am writing, and hopefully making a difference in someones life today.   I look forward reading your comments and feedback and working with you to help keep kids safe on the internet from sexual predators, bullies, hate crimes, and damaging irresponsibility. 

Kymberley

One of America’s top child safety advocates, Oprah Winfrey, is airing another show to help parents keep their kids safe online.  Protecting kids from online predators is a major issue that Oprah has decided to take on and use her platform to educate parents and grandparents on these very serious issues.

Sharing stories and bringing experts to her stage to empower US the ones on the front lines to keep kids safe!

At the link below you will find more information on this issue and some great advice for all of us to learn from.

This page on her web site is titled: Lured at 13: Held Captive As a Sex Slave

WOW what if that were youre child?  Can you imagine? 

This is what we are all about!  If you don’t have a parental control software to help protect your kids please vist www.TUKI.com and there you can download our free kid safe browser.

Some of the stories covered include:

High-Tech Hell
Kristin was preyed upon by an Internet predator she thought was her friend. Could her cautionary tale save your child?

A Message to Parents
How can you protect your child from Internet predators? Danielle’s tips for avoiding a tragedy in your own family.

Alicia’s Story
At 13, she was abused by a man she met on the Internet. Her message for your kids. Plus, how to fight for Alicia’s Law.  

Stay Safe Online
Rob Nickel trains police to catch online predators. Get his tips! Plus, how to buy the safety software he recommends.

Case Closed
After 27 years, Adam Walsh’s killer has finally been named. John Walsh, host of America’s Most Wanted, talks about the long road to justice.

Write Now!
Demand that the government fully funds the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. Plus, how to contact your representatives and a sample letter.

Check it out at this link: http://www.oprah.com/dated/oprahshow/oprahshow-20090220-kidnapped

I just wanted to post them here so our readers would continue to be vigilent about protect our children!

Danielle and Kristin’s Story:

Danielle’s daughter Kristin at 14 did well in school and excelled at track. When Kristin was in 8th grade, she received a computer and strict rules to go along with her use. Danielle’s mother never could have guessed what was to come for her family.

Danielle described the day her family changed to Oprah’s cameras. After returning from church at 2:00 in the afternoon, Danielle heard her husband scream for her to call 911. Going down the hall while on the phone, Danielle watched her husband cut her daughter down from the rafters.

How did this happen? After finding out that Kristin had a profile up on a social networking site, Danielle took the computer away for more than 5 months, but Kristin had already started a relationship with 27 year-old Kylie Ryan Bowers.  Just before her 15th birthday, Kristin revealed to her mom that she had been used by the man and made to feel wanted and beautiful.

She told her mother that she had gone with him to a motel where he sexually attacked her and once he had what he wanted, returned to Texas.

Kristin had been communicating with the man for 8 months and had only met him the 1 time. She didn’t realize she could get so emotionally involved, and entered a deep depression after the abuse, reality of the trial, and harassment she received online after he returned to Texas.

While it doesn’t make up for the loss of her daughter, Kylie Ryan Bowers did receive a 9 year sentence for his actions.

Because it helps her deal with the pain of losing her daughter, Danielle wished to share Kristin’s story and the lessons she learned from her experience that other parents may benefit from.

Danielle shared the following tips for parents:

• It can happen to anyone – predators are experts in seduction and can convince a child to trust him. Don’t believe that because you have a ‘good’ kid that it couldn’t happen to your child.
• Learn the technology – use safety software and know what your child is using online.
• Don’t let your children be naive – share stories of caution so your child knows what to look out for while using the internet.

Cell Phone Predators:

A story was also shared in a clip about a girl who was not allowed to have a computer, but was given a cell phone at 11.

Finding a chat site on her phone, she met a 20 year old man online when she was 12. After just recently losing her dad, she was able to find support from this man and eventually agreed to meet him at a park.  The incident ended in him raping her, but thankfully he was caught but only sentenced to 3 years in jail.

Alicia’s Story:

In October of 2007, Alicia testified before congress about being lured by an online predator at 13 and kidnapped to Virginia to become a sex slave. Alicia met Scott Tyree online and talked to him for 8 months before agreeing to meet with him on New Year’s day of 2002.

Once Alicia was near Scott in person, she knew he was a monster and would have to do whatever she could to survive.  Scott raped, beat and too video of Alicia locked in his basement. He bragged to his friends and shared images and video of his prisoner online, which eventually led to him being caught and Alicia being saved.

A friend who Scott shared the material with turned him into the FBI, and Alicia was rescued after 4 days.

Alicia shared that Scott seduced and groomed her into trusting him. Always telling her what she wanted and needed to hear, Alicia became brainwashed.

Now a college junior, Alicia speaks to schools to help kids not make the mistakes that she made.  Scott received 19 years in jail for his actions and is a great example of how internet predators are monsters disguised as the man next door.