The computer provides an ideal setting for sexual predators to sexually exploit children. Many sexual predators prefer children to fulfill their sexual gratification. When a person sexually victimizes children, they are referred to as pedophiles. The typical pedophile is a male over twenty-five years old and has never been married. Most pedophiles are employed and have some college education.
Pedophiles come from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Common among pedophiles is emotional immaturity and disregard for others. Luring or Attempted Luring of a Minor by Computer for Sexually Explicit Conduct Sexual predators develop elaborate schemes to sexually victimize children on-line. Because the computer provides almost complete anonymity, one technique frequently used by sexual predators is the intentional misrepresentation of their identity. The sexual predator assumes the identity of a young person before attempting to develop a relationship with an unsuspecting minor. After building the minor's trust over a period of time, the sexual predator attempts to arrange a meeting with the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct.