How to Talk to Kids About Kidnapping

Jan. 17, 2007 — -- After the kidnapping and subsequent rescue of two Missouri boys last week, many parents are wondering how best to talk to their children about the potential for dangerous predators without frightening them.

Psychologists and safety experts agree that it's important to talk about kidnapping. Parents should reassure their children that kidnapping is rare, but tell them that it's important to have a family game plan to stay safe.

The message doesn't have to be scary. Kids can learn about safety in a smart, but gentle, way.

While no two predators will look the same, their actions are usually similar, and can be anticipated.

"Teach children how to spot potentially dangerous actions no matter what the person looks like. They'll [be] be much safer because the action never changes," said "Good Morning America" safety contributor Bob Stuber.

The family safety plan should be tweaked for each child.

Experts say that in a kidnapping situation, fighting back is important. For kidnappings that result in death, 75 percent of the time, the victims are killed within the first three hours.

"Kicking and screaming, opening the door, shouting, 'Who are you? I don't know who you are. You're hurting me. Stop it.' To try to call attention to the situation they're in," said Marylene Cloitre of the New York University Child Study Center.

Kids should find something to jam into the car's ignition, jump into the back seat, or, if they're in the trunk, kick out the tail lights.