I saw this story on the news last night.

In addition to what you said, Robyn, I also believe that kids this young should NOT have their own computers, with 'net access, in their bedrooms. There's no reason why a kid can't use a *family computer*, one that is kept in a common area, and only when a parent or other guardian is around to keep an eye on what the child does online.

Yeah, teens will likely whine and sulk about such restrictions...but they also need to realize that recreational internet usage is a PRIVILEGE...not a RIGHT! And if they can't do stuff online that they don't want anyone else to see...well, they shouldn't be online at all. Being overly cautious is a hell of a lot better than having something like this happen to the child later on...once something like this happens, it can never be undone.

Kids will often hear stories such as this one and think to themselves, "well, I'm smarter than THAT, I can meet up with online friends, and NOTHING will happen!" Don't believe it...even for a second!

I shudder to think about what that sicko may have done to that girl...and to think about how, for every one of these guys they catch, how many just like him are still skulking about out there. :-(

¤ ¤ credit: christine | 01.05.02 at 05:35 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

Never mind the fact that it's pretty easy on the net to claim one thing when that's not the truth - who knows if he claimed to be 16, when in reality he is 38. And no, I would not expect a 13 year old to know better... heck, 30 year olds have found themselves in the same situation.

¤ ¤ credit: Christine | 01.06.02 at 02:02 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

Christine and Robyn, as a mother I totally agree. I watched Robyn's sister, even read some of it, and still I worried someone would get to her. (Our computer was in the living room.) Even at that, one guy got mad at her when she wouldn't go out with him and hacked our computer, changed passwords and caused major hassle for us/me. He even had me fooled, and I had talked with him online also. We later figured out that he had gotten into my account by hacking through hers, but told me she gave him my online name....Scary enough. Can't imagine what those parents went through. Kids are ingenious though, when Jenn was grounded from the computer, I took the keyboard to work and she figured out how to navigate without it. The best parental control is to block all online accounts with only parental approval to use the computer, and pray they don't go to a friend's house.

¤ ¤ credit: Mama | 01.07.02 at 01:07 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

Eeegads! That guy is right in my "soon-to-be" backyard! Herndon, VA is a hop, skip, and a jump from my hometown of Woodbridge, VA! Poor Maggie isn't even born yet and she's already grounded from ever using the computer without Mommy & Daddy looking over her shoulder.

¤ ¤ credit: Tara | 01.07.02 at 02:06 PM | link--this ¤ ¤