Comments on: MySpace is Dangerous

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:33 +0000

My kids both have a myspace account and both my kids have their own computer with internet access…but… they are in the same room as their father and I. One actually sits about 2 feet from me. They did ask if they could have their computers in their rooms which ended with a very short “absolutely not” answer. They know the risks and we know the risks.
There was a story here on 60 minutes of grown men posing as children to lure kids to a meeting point and then abuse them. We made our kids watch it and we had a family discussion afterwards. I think teaching your kids about the potential harm on the internet is so vital these days. Like you said John, when we were younger we met people face to face, there was no internet.. but even meeting people face to face had its own issues. This is just a different way for predators to pick their victims.
Being a parent is the hardest job in my opinion. I really feel for the family of that 13 yr old girl. My son is 13 and it really strikes home. I will be even more vigilant in who they are speaking to after reading this story.

By: Scott Huffman

Scott Huffman — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:08:43 +0000

Great insight, John. The internet does provide folks with the opportunity to be whoever they want to be, and reality is not a constant like it is in face to face situations. Predators are everywhere, and the internet makes it easier for some of them to operate. On a somewhat unrelated note, my niece told me that she sent 8000 texts last month. This is just another reminder of how old I am getting.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:22:02 +0000

A suicidal girl committed suicide; I fail to see how this case is anything special.