Stranger Danger - Proposition

Proposition

Although there are other dangers such as kidnap for ransom, the main threat stranger danger campaigns concern is sexual abuse. In recent years, the emphasis of such campaigns has shifted somewhat, in order to reflect the risk of abuse by persons known to the child. Common phrases children will hear include:

• Don't talk to strangers
• Don't walk with strangers
• Don't accept gifts from strangers
• Don't talk to strangers when they ask for directions, ask you to pet their puppy or tell you a parent is injured or in an accident
• If ever approached by a stranger, tell a parent or an adult who you trust
• Don't get into a car with strangers
• Don't text SMS messaging on cellular phones to strangers, when parents, friends and adults are emergency call on cellular phones.
• Don't Email to stranger on their computer/internet, when that's a emergency call for parents, friends and adults on the internet.
• If ever approached by a stranger and are still near your school, return to your school and immediately tell a staff member

Some proponents of stranger danger proposed to teach children an exception to talking to strangers in situations where the child is in danger for other reasons, avoiding strangers (who might help) could in fact be dangerous itself. Other proponents of "stranger danger" warnings have, however, instead proposed to teach children not to approach anyone without parental permission (such as not to enter a car even if they recognize the person)