In one of those truly chilling cases that has sent shockwaves across communities nationwide, a 27-year-old man identified as Zachary Scheich has been found to have masqueraded as a teenager to infiltrate Nebraska high schools. This harrowing incident underlines the urgent need to raise awareness about online safety and the risks of online predation.
Scheich had an elaborate plan for deception: to create himself a fake identity, with forged documents, and enter the lives of unsuspecting young women. He utilizes social networking to interact with his victims; he grooms them through word plays in order to gain their confidence. Once he gains their trust, he escalates advances to disturbing sexual encounters.
Only partly, if at all, can one measure the impact of Scheich’s predatory behavior relative to his young victims. With these young teenagers, damaging emotional trauma, hurtful psychological moments, and physical harm occurred. Of course, this violation of trust and breach of innocence prevents the wounds from ever healing.
The legal system has wasted absolutely no time in ensuring that justice is brought upon Scheich. He was charged with a variety of very serious offenses, which include sexual assault and the enticement of a child. If convicted, the potential consequences of his actions are severe, given the seriousness of his crimes.
This is quite a grim reminder of the perils faced in the modern age. Online predators can so easily manipulate and exploit young people, like Scheich here, who may not be prepared to detect the alerting signs of danger. It’s about time all parents and guardians freely and honestly availed their children of the dangers brought forth by online harassment, set limits within which they are able to operate freely, and monitored their online activities accordingly.
With the rapid development and impact of the digital world surrounding us, it is time we truly know what is going on around us and that we permanently behave proactively. We empower ourselves and our children completely about risks, creating in them the possibility to make good choices and taking care of their safety. Let this disturbing case be the catalyst for change that spurs us toward making the online world a safer place for all.
