. i'm craig melvin. and i'm natalie morales. and this is "dateline." i'm craig melvin. >> i'm natalie morales. this is "dateline." that's the ice cream truck. ice cream! ice cream slam. >> hi guys. >> he's pretending to be a sweet talking stranger. >> how would you like free ice cream. >> really, he's part of our hidden camera experiment. >> nerve racking, right? >> going to be a very scary situation. >> could your child be lured into a vehicle? >> wow. >> or to posing for pictures or to revealing their name and address. >> i don't trust him. i didn't want to tell him. >> cameras are secretly rolling as parents are secretly watching

how real the threat can be. >> it could easily shut that door and take off. >> they forget everything. it's innocent. they're so innocent. >> i'm very curious about how today is going to go. >> important advice that every parent can use. >> we need to teach our kids to be assertive, be strong and learn how to say no from an early age. >> we put kids to the test, including my own. >> i'm like, partly almost crying but at the same time i can't believe that. >> it's "dateline's" my kid would never do that. the stranger safety edition. welcome to "dateline." how many times have you told your kids not to trust a stranger? think they're listening. we wanted parents to see how their kids might handle a tough situation or a dangerous one like being approached by a stranger and being lured inside a truck. there are lessons here for all of us, including me.

it's too horrible to imagine. an unspeakable thought. what if someone snatched my child. >> authorities issued an amber alert. >> even though a stranger abducting a child is rare, we still make every effort to teach our kids how to be safe. but will they remember those lessons when it matters? when we tested kids in the past, most were easily tricked. whether it was the lure of a puppy puppy -- >> i cannot believe they opened the door. i am shocked. >> or a man with a badge. >> please don't be a lafrmtd everything is okay. i'm with the sheriff's department. >> kids forgot what they had been taught. >> can i step in for a second. >> and let a stranger into the house. >> you failed. >> he had a badge. >> he had the badge. >> predators know which lures to use and which kids are most vulnerable too. >> michelle boreba says this is

why parents need to teach their kids what to do in many different stranger situations. >> you role play it over and over again. you play what if scenarios. >> i've been teaching my kids about stranger safety since they were toddlers. like so many parents, i wonder if my kids will remember those lessons in a real-life situation. i'm so curious, in fact, that later in the hour, i'll be testing my 8-year-old. >> along with a group of other moms and dads, we'll watch our kids as we put them through a variety of tests to see how they'll react in risky situations with strangers. actual scenarios convicted child predators have used to target children. >> hi guys. >> hi. >> i'm matt the ice cream man. >> what will they do when a friendly ice cream man makes a tempting offer. >> how would you guys like free ice cream. >> will any of them climb into a vehicle with a stranger?

>> have you ever been in an ice cream truck. >> only a door slam away from being taken. >> i put my son to that test. >> i'm casting this tv show called reality kids. i think you'd be perfect for it. >> we'll see if kids will tell a stranger who they are and where they live. >> i just need your name, address. >> making it easy for a predator to find them. >> i'm hoping she'll say, i'd like to check with my mom first. >> all our parents say they've told our kids never to give out that kind of information to strangers. let's see how they do. >> hi. my name is william. >> my name is christopher. >> my name is xavier. >> we set up a tent and installed hidden cameras. their parents and i are watching nearby. >> the boys are assembling care packages. >> keep on fighting. >> we've hired an actor to approach the boys, take their

pictures and tell them he's looking for new stars for a reality tv show. the test? to see if they will give him their home address. >> i do speak to him about safety. he will not just give information or direction. >> if someone is saying you could be famous, that could be it. >> i think if it's a chance for him to break into his career, he just may. >> how would you feel if he does? >> it's going to be a very scary situation. >> these parents know what their kids are about to go through. it may be stressful but feel it's important. >> hopefully it will be a learning experience. >> let the testing begin. as soon as our camera woman and producer leave -- >> i've got a call. i'll be back, guys. >> you're actor approaches. >> hi guys. what are you doing? >> we're building a care package. >> care package. for who? >> the boys look leery. >> soldiers. >> really? that's awesome.

listen, guys, have you ever thought about being on tv? >> the mere mention of tv and they start to relax. >> oh, yes. >> really? >> yes. >> their parents watch hoping they do the right thing. >> listen, i'm doing this casting project right now. you look perfect. >> i'm prepared. >> i've been on tv before. >> really? >> first our ak tar takes their photos. >> you guys look perfect for this project. >> and their parents cringe. how would you feel if a stranger took your child's picture? >> what's your name? >> chris. >> what's your last name? >> all three give up their full names without hesitation. >> my name is xavier. >> xavier. >> right up to him. >> but the next part is even scari scarier. >> what's your address? >> will the boys give up their info or stand up to the stranger? coming up --

>> test number two. the girls. will they give out their names for a shot at fame? >> i'm casting this new tv show and i think you'd be perfect for it? >> me? >> yes. >> when "dateline" continues. another anti-wrinkle cream in no hurry to make anything happen. neutrogena® rapid wrinkle repair® works in just one week. with the fastest retinol formula available. it's clinically proven to work on fine lines and wrinkles. one week? that definitely works! rapid wrinkle repair®. and for dark spots, rapid tone repair. neutrogena®. see what's possible.

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♪ a complete multivitamin with key nutrients plus b vitamins for heart health. your one a day is showing. you thought about being on tv, right? >> a stranger just told this boy, chris, he needs his home address in order to cast him in

a new tv show. >> what's your address? >> his mom and the other kids' parents are watching, hoping he won't tell. >> well, the address, i need to wait for my parents' permission. >> i'm impressed. >> but our actor keeps pushing. >> i just need everything. to get all the contracts signed out and sent out. >> she doesn't like me -- >> i'm going to be talking to your parents tomorrow. >> chris' mom wills her son to stand his ground. >> but it doesn't work. >> nervous laughter from the watch room as he gives his entire address, which we won't be doing. >> now the other boys. >> your address? >> 1760. >> 1760? >> yes. >> 2542 -- >> 2542. >> xavier. >> he wonders if peer pressure

gave out. >> the first two kids did it so he got courtth comfortable. >> it took less than four minutes for our stranger to collect all the information necessary to track these boys down. >> how are you? >> very good. >> they know i'm with the team who will be sending off the care packages. will they tell me about their encounter with a stranger? >> anything else happen? >> a guy came out of nowhere. >> saying he wants to -- have you been on tv? >> what did you do? >> took our pictures and he wanted the info. >> you guys let him have all of that? >> for the first time today the boys get quiet. >> have you been on tv before? >> yeah. >> i haven't been on tv, per se. >> well, guess what? you guys are all on tv right now. that's right. >> where is the camera? >> there it is.

>> there's one there. there's one there. this is a test. it was to see how you guys would act when somebody comes up to you and says, you can be famous. >> they quickly realize they failed the test. >> oh, wow. oh, wow. >> oh, wow. >> then we bring out their parents. >> come on, parents. come on in. >> you shouldn't have gave it to him. >> you can take their information and say my mom will give it to you. >> why did you give your address in the end? >> because he seemed legit. >> it was good. >> stick with it. >> the parents leave hoping this time the lesson has gotten through. the testing continues. unlike the last group, these parents are convinced their girls will know what to do when approached by a stranger. >> my name is erin. >> hi. my name is erica. >> my name is nava. >> she's extremely cautious.

>> she's been earnest about safety. she was off at a boarding school in south africa. >> she wouldn't give out, like, her home address. >> overall, you don't think she'll go along with it then? >> no, i don't. >> she'll be cautious. i'll be very surprised if she's not. >> she says her daughter erica has no problem speaking up. >> i'm hoping she'd say, check with my mom first. >> she knows if someone comes up with a dog, they're proobl using that as a trick to get to them. she knows that kind of stuff. >> erin's mom is counting on those lessons paying off today. >> i'm hoping she does the right thing. >> if she does give out her information -- >> i would feel devastated. >> while they're busy filling boxes with supplies for the troops, up walks our actor. >> hey, guys. >> hello. >> what are you dies doing? >> you can see uncomfortable

they are being approached by a stranger. >> making care pack angs. >> really? that's cool. i'm casting a new tv show called reality kids and i think you'd be perfect for it. >> me? >> yeah. really, really perfect. >> without asking, he takes erica's picture. >> okay. >> wow. >> then he turns to erin and nava. >> listen, i need other people in the casting too. hang on a second. there we go. you kids are perfect. >> cheese. >> what is this show? >> it's called reality kids. >> okay. >> okay. so far they've let him take their photos. >> look at them. they're all nervous about it. >> now the real test. >> i just need your info so i can get everything to your parents. so you can get waivers and things. >> their moms watch as if their parenting skills are on the line. >> i need your name, address. >> erica is the first to speak

up. >> maybe you should talk to my mom. >> there you go. >> good girl. >> but our actor isn't giving up so easily. >> i need your address to get everything to them, so they're always informed. >> could you just ask my mom that. >> so far so good. >> i need your info to get everything to them. >> will the high pressure sales pitch pay off? coming up next -- another teen starts out tough. >> do you have a card or something that i could see? >> will she be tough enough? later, a whole new tempting scenario. >> have you guys ever been in an ice cream truck? >> a tour inside a stranger's truck. will kids climb in? >> come on. >> watch as we put my son to the test. >> it's hard. >> when "dateline" continues. cannot live without it.

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we're testing kids to see if they remember what to do when approached by a stranger. >> i'm casting this new tv show called reality kids. >> after taking erica's picture, our actor has been pushing her to tell him who she is and where she lives. >> i just need your name, address, stuff like that. >> so far she's turned him down twice. >> i'm not comfortable giving my address. >> why not? we need to mail everything so we can get it to you.

>> could you just ask my mom that. >> she's making her mom proud. >> she's not budging. >> don't you want to make money? >> i can make money when i become a professional soccer player. >> don't give in. >> she stays firm. now our actor turns his attention to the other girls. will they follower ka's example. >> what's your name? >> nava. >> she watches to see if her daughter will remember everything she's taught her. >> nava is like i'm keeping my head down. >> what's the address? >> concern and worry flash across her face as her daughter gives her entire address. >> avenue. >> it's a hard thing for a mother to watch. >> my name is erin. >> erin? >> and what's the address? >> complete silence in the watch room as her mom listens to hear what her daughter will say.

>> yeah. just give me the address. then i can mail everything and we can get the number with your parents. >> 61 -- >> erin gives out her address. >> new jersey, new york? >> and reality seems to strike her mom. >> emotional. >> hard, right? >> then as our actor starts to leave, erica does something unexpected. >> you're going to see my parents, right? >> yeah. >> you can ask them the address when you see them. >> i'm not going to see them. i'm going to talk to them. >> exactly. >> i need to get everything mailed out. we're shooting next week. >> now her mom looks really worried. >> 170 -- >> avenue. >> what did she just say. >> she's giving in. i'm surprised. >> you guys are going to be famous. i know it. >> thank you, guys. >> okay. >> as soon as he leaves, it's clear erica knows something is

is not right. >> i didn't trust him. i didn't want to tell him. >> what's interesting, now they're having a conversation about how they trust him and the things we tell them not do. but they didn't actually do it. >> after the fact. >> now i go out and greet the girls. >> how are you doing? >> good. >> i asked them if anything unusual happened. >> there was a guy -- >> a guy? >> he like took pictures of us and he asked for our information. >> did he get all of your information? >> i didn't trust him but i did give him my information. >> why did you give him your information if you didn't trust him. >> -- we are sending these care packages to the troops. but the real reason you're here also is we are doing a show about stranger danger. >> their moms come out to speak to them. >> oh, my goodness. >> what did you guys do? >> i was so scared. >> we didn't know who -- >> what are you supposed to do if a stranger asks you for your information? >> i was going to run but i didn't know where to go.

>> the families leave feeling their daughters will be better prepared to handle a real stranger. in our final group, we meet a girl who knows what it's like to be approached by a stranger. >> hi, my name is paige, i'm 14 years old. >> she's been asked about being a model and just like our expert recommends, her mother says she's been very specific about how to handle it. >> she breezes right through them. yeah, whatever and blows them off. >> so her mom is not worried about today's test. >> i'm fairly confident she would say, not interested, thanks. >> is paige's mom right about her daughter? >> hey, guys. >> how are you? >> good. >> she and two younger girls are assembling care packages. >> what are you guys doing? >> our actor starts by asking their ages. >> how old are you guys? >> 14. >> paige doesn't hesitate to give her age. what will she do when the

questions get more personal. >> i guess quite a few emotions going on right now. >> when he asks to take her picture -- >> no thanks. >> really? why not? >> do you have a card or something that i could see? >> i have nothing on me. >> i just have to go by your word. i don't go by people's words. >> amazing. >> should be proud. >> paige, ava and ali a continue to blow him off. >> have a nice time with your reality kids. >> you guys don't want to be famous? >> now you're getting in the way. >> all right, guys. your loss. >> we know it is. >> weird. >> when i go out to speak to paige, she says she knew what to do because her mother taught her. >> he didn't have a card, he didn't have any piece of identification that he was offering. >> is that something you were taught? >> yeah. definitely. >> her mother and the other parents beam with pride. >> good job, sweetie. >> paige, that was -- you were excellent. >> i learned from the best, mom. >> thank you.

>> expert michelle borba applauds her mom for giving her detailed instructions on how to handle the situation. she says parents don't worry about scaring your kids. you're not scaring them to death when you say don't run into the street. don't run around the pool. don't feel you're scaring them by giving them what to do in certain situations that can create safety for them around strangers. here's a stranger situation you might not have thought of. but child predators certainly have. >> hi guys. >> hi. >> i'm matt the ice cream man. >> would your children know to do if someone tried to lure them with free ice cream. >> would you guys like some? >> and a special tour inside the truck. >> it's fun. i have the truck right here. what's in store for this brother and sister, a powerful, emotional moment ahead for both

kids and their dad. coming up -- >> oh. and a police officer who teaches stranger safety lessons. surely, his daughter will know what to do, right? >> i'm very curious about how today is going to go. >> when "dateline" continues. a complete multivitamin with key nutrients plus b vitamins for heart health. your one a day is showing. hey! yeah!? i switched to geico and got more! more savings on car insurance!? they helped with homeowners, too! ok! plus motorcycle, boat and rv insurance! geico's got you covered! like a blanket! houston? you seeing this? geico. expect great savings and a whole lot more.

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get fast internet and add phone and tv for only $34.90 more per month. comcast is building america's largest gig-speed network to give small businesses more. call 1-800-501-6000 today. i'm dara brown with the top stories. nevada congressman rubin kihuen announcing he will not seek reelection. after the ethics committee opened a case against him for harassment. he denies the claims. a judge in pennsylvania blocking the rollback of birth control coverage for obamacare. the rules allowing employers to opt out based on religious or moral reasons is harmful to women. now back it dait line. -- "dateline."

welcome back to "dateline." i'm natalie morales. our hidden cameras were watching and so were their parents as we put some kids to the test to see if a little temptation would make them forget all the stranger danger lessons they've been taught. let's find out. would your kids take free ice cream from a man they didn't know? this dad thinks he knows the answer. >> that type of thing i really don't worry about anymore. >> their dad says he and his wife have been vigilant about teaching their children the rules about stranger safety. he's confident they'll know what to do today. >> what if they don't? >> i'm going to feel like i've done something wrong, failed in a certain way. >> we brought back our actor, this time playing the part of an ice cream man. he'll drive up in an ice cream truck we've rented and offer kids free ice cream. then he'll try to lure them in for a tour to peek in the freezer and play with the truck's music machine.

if they go inside, you'll see how easy it would be for a predator to slam the door and drive off. >> maya and dallas who are twins, think they're only here to create a poster for our troops overseas. >> my name is maya, i'm 8. >> my name is dallas. >> i just wanted to say good luck. >> they don't know the tent is full of hidden cameras and that their dad with watching. their older sister taylor is watching too. >> nerve racking, right? >> yes. >> our producer leaves the tent and the twins continue to work on their poster. then they hear the unmistakable sound of an ice cream truck headed their way. >> ice cream! >> do you think we have money? >> hey, guys. >> hi. >> i'm matt the ice cream man. what are you doing? >> we're doing a card. >> for who? >> people in the war. >> that's awesome, guys. >> thank you. >> you know what, i usually give

out free ice cream to anyone who doos things for the troops. would you guys like some? >> their dad and sister hold their breath to see if dallas and maya will remember what their parents taught them. and send the ice cream man away. >> you guys want free ice cream? >> we have to ask our parents. >> it's fun. i have the truck right here. >> come on. >> maya is reluctant. so our actor tries another tactic. >> have you guys ever been in an ice cream truck? have you ever seen the inside of one? >> no. >> would you guys like to check that out? >> they go back to working on their poster. their dad watches hoping his twins will continue to ignore our ice cream man. >> nervous right now. >> but our actor turns on the charm. >> come on, guys. i'll show you. >> maybe they'll just peek in, not get in. >> he gets out a stool inviting them to climb up. >> check it out, guys. >> i can show you the freezers,

show you how the music works and everything. go ahead. >> while dallas marches right in. >> oh, god. >> maya hesitates, looks around, unsure of what to do. >> it's all right. >> then she climbs in. >> watch your step. >> their father is visibly upset. >> no matter how much you talk to them, it takes something that catches their interest and they forget everything. it's innocent. they're so innocent. >> all right. what's your favorite ice cream? >> you guys like spider-man or dora the explorer. >> i like spider-man. >> i like spider-man. >> wait. do we need to pay because i think our parents -- >> no, it's free, guys. >> it's free. >> even though she got in the truck, maya continues to turn down the ice cream. >> i'm good. >> you sure? >> yeah. >> but both are interested to see how the music machine works.

>> it's this little box right up here. >> i didn't think they would do that. >> they're in there a long time. he could easily shut that door and take off. >> if somebody else is inside there and grab them. >> they finish with the tour. >> bye. >> as soon as our ice cream man leaves -- >> bye guys. >> bye keep doing the good work. >> she tells her brother something isn't right. >> dallas, you don't know you. stranger danger. >> ice cream. >> dallas, we need to tell our parents first. >> you're in big trouble. >> want a bite? >> no. i'm not getting stolen ice cream. >> i go out to speak to the twins. >> do your parents talk to you about strangers? >> yes.

dallas was got. >> did you forget too. >> no. i always don't get free ice cream. >> what about getting on a truck with an ice cream man. >> i was kind of scared because i thought he was, like, the person that takes people. >> dallas gets very upset as soon as he sees his dad. >> hey guys. >> what's wrong? >> what's wrong? >> his father tries to comfort him. explaining why this experiment was so important. >> as much as we talk, your mom and i talk to you, you make mistakes. it's okay to make mistakes. but sometimes your mistake can get you in so much trouble that you can't fix it. >> you know better for the next time. and you know better when you go back and you talk to your friends. >> now you can have your ice

cream. >> turning down a tour of an ice cream truck would be hard for anyone. >> what about one whose father is a police officer. >> my dad told me to walk away or say no thank you. >> not only is julia's dad a cop, but one of his duties is to teach stranger safety in schools. >> are all strangers bad? >> no. >> he teaches kids about traps like a stranger that wants to show kids the latest video game. he also teaches another valuable lesson. >> if a stranger ever tries to grab you, i want you guys to do this. you ready? i want everybody to wiggle like a worm. wiggle. go help, help! stranger, help! >> julia says her dad is constantly reminding her about stranger safety. >> when you take something from a stranger, it could be a trick. >> because out of all the people in the world, why would it be

you? >> what will julia do today? will she be able to put the lessons to use when our ice cream man shows up. >> i'm very curious to see if she can apply it to the real world. >> her dad is worried even though she's had so much training, in the end peer pressure will be the deciding factor. >> my prediction is she'll go with the group. >> my name is julia. i'm 8 years old. >> she's working side by side with two other girls she's never met before. >> hi. my name is leanna, i'm 7 years old. >> my name is allison. i'm 9 years old. >> what about the other girls? allison's mom has taught her daughter to trust her instincts. >> we tell her that little voice telling you something is wrong, you need to listen to it. >> brianna's mom is worried she'll be too trusting and easily swayed. >> i hope not enough to do something that normally would be out of the norm. >> it's a very dangerous situation to get in.

>> ice cream truck! >> the girls are excited as our actor approaches them. >> what are you guys doing? >> painting. >> painting what? >> things for the troops. >> for the troops, really? >> you know what, you're working so hard, how would you like free ice cream? >> will the police officer's daughter and our two other girls say no to free ice cream? and what about a tour of the truck? >> oh, geez. >> oh, my goodness. coming up -- >> my son josh and his friend. >> it's the ice cream truck! >> ice cream. ice cream. >> will they pass the tempting ice cream test? >> what are you guys doing? >> josh, come on. >> when "dateline" continues. another anti-wrinkle cream in no hurry to make anything happen. neutrogena® rapid wrinkle repair® works in just one week.

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it's the ice cream truck? >> the police officer's daughter julia and two other girls are about to get an offer from a man they don't know. >> hi guys, how are you? >> julia, breanna and allison are working on a poster to send to our armed forces. >> you know what, you're working so hard, how would you guys like free ice cream? >> will these girls and the cop's daughter take the bait and be lured into a stranger's vehicle. remember, her dad teaches stranger safety in schools. >> going right up.

>> oh, geez. >> the police officer can't believe the girls are following the ice cream man like he's a pied piper. >> do you have like strawberry? >> have you guys ever been in a truck? >> no. >> no? >> now the moment of truth. can our actor convince them to do something they know is wrong. >> why don't you guys come check it out. it's so cool in here. >> the police officer's daughter moves closer to the truck door and the other girls follow her. then breanna, whose mom worried her daughter was too trusting, asks the question. >> we can get in there? >> yes. >> i can show you how everything works, the music, everything. >> oh, gosh. >> will julia and allison join her? >> one second. >> come here. this is a scam, i know it. >> the look of a proud father. >> just walked over and said we're not getting in there.

>> meanwhile, breanna is getting the full tour. >> as she's in the truck, something dawns on her. >> i hope it's okay with my father. >> her mom is crushed. >> so upset because she's in that truck. so trusting. >> our actor turns his attention back to the other girls. >> come on guys. don't you want to see this? >> so far the police officer's daughter and allison have refused to get in the truck. >> no. we want to work. >> our actor tries one more time with the ice cream. >> you guys want free ice cream, come on. >> which ones would you like? >> spider-man. >> well, nobody is perfect. >> what would you like? >> anything. >> they all went for the free ice cream. they did. >> thank you. >> eventually, breanna gets out of the truck. >> have a good one. >> really nice. >> let's have our ice cream. >> i never got free ice cream before, never in my life. >> we all go out to speak to the

girls. >> how is the ice cream? >> good. >> are you wondering why all these cameras are around here? >> when i tell them what we're up to, julia says even though she took the ice cream, she thought something was fishy. >> why would a free ice cream truck come along and say you want free ice cream. >> you know that happens in real life. >> some people get carried away and they never see their parents again. >> your dad has taught you very well. >> of course he did. >> breanna is not sure what to make of this? >> breanna's mother wants to be certain her daughter learned something valuable today. >> if they say come and see my ice cream truck, come and see my puppy what, are you supposed to say? >> no. >> in a what type of voice? >> in a loud voice where other people can hear you. don't you ever go up to a strarng and do that again, okay, breanna? we would be very sad if something happened to you

>> you don't need to be a police officer to make sure your child learns a good safety skill. >> but our expert says, like julia's dad, you have to be repetitive. it's not a one-time conversation. >> teaching your child over and over those three smart safety skills will help in the end. >> as i hug a tearful breanna, i can't help but wonder what's going to happen when my son josh and his two friends are greeted by our friendly ice cream man. >> unlike the last group who didn't know each other, the three boys have been friends for years. >> i've known josh since -- >> will that make it each harder for them to see know. >> if josh sees malcolm doing something, i think he feels it's okay to do it too. >> my name is hudson, my name is josh. my name is malcolm. >> malcolm's mom amy and hudson's mom allison are my

friends. we've all made an effort to teach our boys what to do if they're approached by a stranger. >> i've given them scenarios. if someone says come over here and help me find my son or look for my dog. >> i have specifically talked about not accepting food or candy or ice cream because malcolm has a tweet tooth. i'm afraid something like that would lure him right in. >> i taught josh from the moment he was a toddler and could understand stranger danger in the last couple of years, i feel he's very trusting of people now. it's tough. it's really tough. >> all three of us are worried our sons will get in the truck. but the moms are betting on my son to be the one to say no. >> i have to say, i do think josh would be the voice of reason. >> you think so? oh, my god, i hope you're right. >> i think it all depends on the influence of the others. josh may think twice about getting on the fruk. >> now it's my turn to watch my

kid and hope he would never get in a vehicle with a stranger. >> going to rinse this off. i'll be back. >> out goes our producer. and in comes the ice cream truck. >> it's the ice cream truck! >> ice cream! >> ice cream! >> hey guys. >> hey. >> what are you guys doing? >> making something for the troops. >> really? >> wow, guys. that's awesome. >> you guys want some ice cream? >> coming up -- will my son resist temptation? >> josh, come on. i'm like partly almost crying but at the same time i can't believe that. >> want some ice cream? >> when "dateline" continues. ♪ a complete multivitamin with key nutrients plus b vitamins for heart health. your one a day is showing.

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i'd of said... i'd of said you're dreaming. dreaming! definitely dreaming. then again, dreaming is how i got this far. now more businesses in more places can afford to dream gig. comcast, building america's largest gig-speed network. my friends and i are watching our sons on hidden cameras as they're approached by a stranger. >> hey, guys. >> like with all the other groups today our fake ice cream man interrupts them while they work on a poster for the military. >> you know what, my company gives out free ice cream to people who do things for the troops. do you guys want some? >> yeah. >> yeah. >> okay. >> oh. >> hudson and malcolm follow the ice cream man, but not my son josh. >> you don't want to come? >> he stays behind the table.

my fingers are crossed that he'll remember everything i've taught him about stranger safety. >> come op, josh. >> check it out. >> oh, my gosh. >> they all want the ice cream. but will they go in the truck to get it? >> have you guys ever been in an ice cream truck in. >> no. >> we prepare ourselves to see what the boys will decide? >> no. >> no. >> i with want to go in. >> hudson and malcolm don't wait for our actor to pull out the stool. they dive right into the climb. >> oh. >> this is cool. >> right? >> yes. >> but my son hangs back. i know he's thinking he shouldn't get in. >> is this really the ice cream truck? >> yeah. >> my god. i'm like -- >> i knew he was going to get on that truck. still, it's hard for me to watch.

>> you want the spiderman? we got dora the explorer? >> that one. >> this one. >> i'm like, partly almost crying, but i can't believe that. >> all right. you got it buddy. >> thanks. >> and you want? >> the reality of what our boys have done sets in. >> it's hard. he could have slam those doors and driven off. >> once josh gets his ice cream he darts off the truck and runs for safety behind the table. >> wow. >> do you want to know how the music works? >> no thanks. >> even peer pressure won't get him this time. >> hey, josh, want to earlier how the music works? >> as he shakes his head, i know in my heart josh can't wait for this stranger to leave. >> his friends are still playing in the truck. >> guys, you can play with it if you want. >> finally, the boys get off the truck and our ice cream man

leaves. >> bye, guys. >> bye. >> josh tells his friends he's suspicious. >> guys, you know what, i didn't trust that man. >> how come? >> my dad told me that -- do you know what that could have been a stranger trying to get you in and trying to kidnap you. >> it was a proud moment for me to hear josh tell his friends what he had been taught, although i wish it had been sooner. >> see, i told you he would be the most level-headed. >> but he got on the truck with him. >> hey, look, we got ice cream. >> we should throw the ice cream on the floor. >> it's good. >> he's coming back. we should make a run for it. >> to test the boys one last time. >> hey, guys, by the way, don't tell your parents i gave you that. all right? >> okay. >> i know you came on the truck. i can get in trouble, all right? >> uh-huh. >> got it, guys. >> okay. >> enjoy the ice cream.

>> okay. >> will the boys tell us about the ice cream man? >> maybe we should just go inside. >> they form a huddle to decide what to do next. >> we got to tell them about the ice cream. >> throw it on the floor. >> your mom is coming. >> they charge towards me, shouting about their encounter with the stranger. >> a suspicious person came with ice cream. >> a guy in an ice cream truck he let us in the truck and he gave us free ice cream. >> come here. >> they told me all about the free ice cream, but not so much about getting in the truck. >> was there more to it? did he try to get you to come with him anywhere? >> yeah. he offered us to go in the truck. >> did you go on the truck with him. >> malcolm did. >> no, you did too. everybody did. >> you did too? >> but i went out quickly. >> come here, guys. >> i bring them into the tent to show them the hidden cameras. >> this is all part of a test to see how you guys would react if a stranger came up to you. >> really? >> we were watching. see there's a camera and a

camera there and camera there. >> you saw us? >> your moms and i were in the back room watching you. >> oh, come on. >> and what we saw made us very scared, okay. what you did today could have been the difference, it could have been somebody taking off with you in the truck and you said that, but you got on that truck, why? why did you get on the truck? >> i'm sorry, mommy. >> no. i know you're sorry, but you understand what we're doing here, guys. okay? >> yeah. >> i think that's a real parenting moment when you realize that no matter how much i've had the talk with him and i feel like i've played out scenarios it's still not sinking in. the only piece that we need to go up a notch is if you're with your friends, your friends may push you to do something that you know is wrong in the end what you need to be able to do is a strong no and then run. >> our expert did give josh high marks for quickly exiting the truck. >> what i kept watching was

conscious and gut instinct very alive in that child and well. >> i'm not doing a bad job parenting? >> you're doing a wonderful job parenting. >> for all you parents who are hoping my kid would never be tricked by a stranger, she has one more piece of advice to help keep your child safe. >> start with one rule, always look at the color of the talker's eyes. fascinating thing, it makes your child hold their head up, makes their whole body look confident and stronger. we need to teach our kids to be assertive, be strong and learn how to say no from an early age. >> how would you handle the situation now? >> i would punch him. >> what else would you do? >> you would run and find me. okay? >> uh-huh. >> it's okay. we're okay, guys. we're okay. >> after this experiment, my son and his friends thanked us for putting them in that very difficult situation and they said now they would know what to do if the situation had happened

in real life. lesson learned. we hope you and your kids will walk away with some valuable information too. that's all for this edition of "dateline." i'm natalie morales. thanks for watching. i'm craig melvin. >> i'm natalie morales. >> this is "dateline." >> it might be the most dangerous part of your child's day and you're not there. when our teens are behind a wheel, how do they do? cameras in the car reveal the truth. >> this is probably illegal. >> parents will see every moment. >> that shocks me. >> maybe you would feel better if someone else were driving, but what if that person seemed to be high or drunk. >> gave myself a couple shots before this. >> you took shots? >> would your child get in the car with this guy? parents watch a