Ask the Expert

Q: What should I do when a stranger engages my child in conversation? I don't want my child to be rude, but I want them to be safe, too?

A: Since children are naive, the responsibility of a child's safety rests on adults' shoulders. And while your children see you talking to "strangers" all the time, it can be confusing for them to understand why it's bad for them to talk to strangers. Since every situation is different, go through a variety of possible stranger-related scenarios with your child. Tell them to be wary, for example, of someone offering them a ride, asking them for directions, or asking them questions like "Can you help me with..." or "Where did you get that..." or "Do you want to go to..." Any kind of question that engages a child should be avoided. Your child should not even continue the conversation and should walk away immediately. Stress to your child that their safety is more important than being polite.

Nancy McBride is the National Safety Director for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). She is a frequent lecturer on issues of child safety and exploitation and is often a guest on television and radio programs dealing with child safety.