Toy Lure

The toy lure is used simply to get the attention of the intended victim by using a popular toy or game. The more popular the toy the more effective the lure. It's not hard to understand why children get excited about playing with the latest toy or game, with today's toy marketers building a huge demand for very costly toys. A knowledgeable predator knows what these items are and uses them very effectively to hook a child.

Teaching children not to fall for this type of lure is challenging. They must overcome their curiosity and desire to have fun. You must constantly remind them not to engage in conversation with strangers or anyone they haven't received permission to. This is particularly true when an adult is trying to show them something that looks like it could be fun.

If they feel someone is trying to use what they think is a lure on them, or anyone else, they should run and contact you or another adult immediately.

Toy Lure Scenarios

You're walking across the parking lot and a motorized, remote controlled toy racing car stops right in front of you. The operator asks if you would like to try driving it. What would you do?

Scenario 2

You're in the park and you see a man flying a remote controlled helicopter. He lands it close to you and asks if you would like to try to fly it. What would you do?

Scenario 3

You're in the park on a hot sunny day when a guy walks up to you with a super soaker squirt gun and asks you if you want to have a squirt gun fight. What would you do?

Scenario 4

A guy is playing a popular video game. As you take a look at it he asks you if you want to try it out. What would you do?

Grown up Toy Lure

Predators know that kids, especially the older ones, are easily impressed with flashy "grown up" toys like boats, motorcycles and sport cars. Older children are more interested in these types of things because they are slowly approaching the age to qualify to operate them.

Parents need to be aware that there are multiple pedophile segments. This variety means that different pedophiles target different aged children. In other words, there are pedophiles that specifically look for kids that are in their early adolescent or teenage years.

The use of toys as a lure - whether kid toys or grown up toys - is common among predators. Just as a shiny fishing lure can attract an unsuspecting fish, so too does a shiny adult toy, like a motorcycle, attract the unsuspecting child.

The best defense for this type of lure is to point out to your child that they should question the motive of any adult offering them use or access of an adult toy. Remind them to alert you or another trusted adult if someone tries to persuade them to "go for a ride."

(Children should be made aware to be suspicious of anyone, particularly an adult, offering them use of an adult type of toy)

Grown up Toy Lure Scenarios

Scenario 1

A guy driving a go-cart pulls up and asks if you want to take it for a spin. What would you do?

Scenario 2

You're walking down the sidewalk when a man pulls up next to you riding a bright red Harley Davidson motorcycle and asks you if you want to go for a ride as he hands you a helmet. What would you do?

Scenario 3

You're swimming at the beach when a man pulls up on a personal watercraft. He then asks if you want to climb aboard for a ride. What would you do?

Scenario 4

A man pulls up in a big semi-tractor trailer truck and asks if you would like to come inside and blow the horn. What would you do?

schedule a FREE PRIVATE LESSON