yet another reason to keep an eye on your kids on line

[{OF}Flying_Dutchman]

As the parent of a 9 yo and 13 yo, both of them active (and monitored!) on the internet this story really bothers me.....


Parents say fake online 'friend' led to girl's suicide - CNN.com

and this one of the parts that gets me going:

"The woman who created the fake profile has not been charged with a crime. She allegedly told the St. Charles County Sheriff's Department she created Josh's profile because she wanted to gain Megan's confidence to know what Megan was saying about her own child online."

[{OF}Malicious Assault]

Just add another to the list of reasons that you shouldn't let kids have access to My(Crime)Space. I block it in my house. No need for me to support a site that knows this stuff is happening and does nothing.

[MeTaL]

Yes a tad disturbing...... few years yet before i have to worry about blocking sites on the net. It will be here before I know it.

[{DvT}JonahHex]

It has been completely beyond my comprehension as to what the allure of MyFarse and other such ilk is. However, my question here is: with what crime should this woman be charged? I cannot determine how her activity might have been illegal. If anyone is suggesting that it should be illegal, what exactly did she do that should be so?

I agree with the assessment quoted in the article calling the activity "vile," but illegal? Further, I'm not sure that monitoring the exchange between this girl and "Josh" would have done much good. It sounds like the majority of the interaction was sufficiently innocuous as to gain the girl's trust. Assuming this to be case, if you were closely monitoring your child's interactions with "Josh," after about a month, would you possibly have developed your own sense of security to the extent that something such that the following conversation could be a reality? ...

her: "I'm talking with with Josh on MyFarce."
you: "That's nice dear. Have a good time."

[{OF}Blong]

Originally Posted by {DvT}JonahHex

It has been completely beyond my comprehension as to what the allure of MyFarse and other such ilk is. However, my question here is: with what crime should this woman be charged? I cannot determine how her activity might have been illegal. If anyone is suggesting that it should be illegal, what exactly did she do that should be so?

I agree with the assessment quoted in the article calling the activity "vile," but illegal? Further, I'm not sure that monitoring the exchange between this girl and "Josh" would have done much good. It sounds like the majority of the interaction was sufficiently innocuous as to gain the girl's trust. Assuming this to be case, if you were closely monitoring your child's interactions with "Josh," after about a month, would you possibly have developed your own sense of security to the extent that something such that the following conversation could be a reality? ...

her: "I'm talking with with Josh on MyFarce."
you: "That's nice dear. Have a good time."

intent to do harm comes to mind and yes that is illegal.
solicitation of a minor also comes to mind and yes that is illegal as well. not that those will hold in court but its something the parents of the lost girl can attempt. Either way myspace is gay. I thought windows had a ton of virus's hackers but damn myspace you actually do have to change your password every other week just to keep hackers out. I gave up on it cause its gay. Hell the site wont even let me change my password and it wont let me delete my account. Good thing there isnt any revealing info on there.

[{DvT}JonahHex]

When will "interaction with a minor" become illegal? Or is it already?

What about "being on the same planet with a minor?"

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With those comments, I'm straying from the specifics of this incident and making general comments about the state of society.

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Dutch, I would argue that this is not exactly "another reason to monitor the kids." Another reason is not necessary...the first reason, actually being a parent (as opposed to being a chromosome donor), is sufficient. What I'm trying to say here is something like it is not necessary to justify, with a list of reasons and dangers, monitoring young children while they cross the street. It is something a responsible parent is expected to do. Likewise, internet use. Both crossing the street and using the net are generally safe, useful, and productive activities. In order for them to be consistantly so, a kid must be taught the "rules of the road." I'm not trying to lecture you or imply that you don't already know and practice this. I'm just trying to make the point I'm going for clear.