Watch Oprah Today!

[dbuck]

Well, I agree checking the history is a good idea, but my son's friends are over every weekend. They all take turns on the computer, im-ing, playing games, and probably "looking at stuff." That's to be expected, imo. But some kids, my son included, have set up their own passwords so we can't even get in to view his history. And again, that's not being sneaky of them. It's no different than when we had locked diaries. My mom was so sure I was doing something evil & promiscuous, and I wasn't.

Yes, but those diaries could be opened with a hair pin.

 

[John R]

http://www.youtube.com/w/Tom-Cruise...en?v=CsCJgP_JfT0&feature=Views&page=1&t=t&f=b

 

[southof30A]

My VERY limited knowledge of myspace.com is that it is a site where anyone (but mostly teens) log on and communicate with others online. This is where the webcams come into play. Rather than just listing random facts about yourself and showing a picture, you can communicate via video. Since kids are often in a situation where they will do almost anything for attention, they feel free to "act out" on camera. Not everyone uses a webcam, some of them post "party pictures."

I just now went to the website to see for myself. I was shocked and angry that I saw so many provocative looks from the girls. I may be old, but I am not stupid. These kids were looking for attention in the worst way. Unfortunetly, you don't know who is going to give them that attention.

It is so sad.

DTinTX

The trouble is all it takes is for one kid to post the names of her friends in a picture and now the perv has girls' names and their corresponding pictures, plus more than likely where they go to school, etc. Not to mention, the very troubling crap many of these kids are posting.

 

[iwishiwasthere]

AND no, what is MySpace.com? It's hard to stay abreast of things we know nothing about.

Zanga.com is another site like MySpace.com Just a way for kids to connect, but with too much access from other people.

 

[Tatertot]

In response to the earlier questions about viewing the show with your kids. I think definitley for a teenager (i.e. the 15 year old) it would be okay. The nine year olds are iffy. HOWEVER, we're all realizing that 9 is not to young to be seduced by a predator. Even though your kid doesn't have a comp. or tv in their room, doesn't mean they can't run into the same things at a friends house or in your living room when your not watching. But keeping this stuff out from behind a kids closed door is a great start!

The most recent studies I've read encourage discussing these kinds of things with your children as soon they are verbal (toddler age). I am NOT referring to discussing porn and watching images on Oprah's show with young children. BUT, they do need to understand inappropriate touching, which parts of their body are off limits, how to say "No", where to go for help if they are approached by a pedophile, and what kind of behaviour is okay and not okay for adults to do with them.

So in short, I'm trying to express that you as a parent have to judge the maturity level of your child, their age, and circumstances. If they spend a lot of time on the comp. then YES, talk to them about this and possibly let them watch the show WITH you and follow it with a discussion. Scaring kids with this is no necessarily a bad thing. They need to know what CAN happen and what to watch out for. I would say your right about 9 being a cut off age. Use your best judgement as a parent, but by all means TALK to your kids about this!

Just some tots for thought...

 

[Rudyjohn]

Thanks Tatertot.
We will be watching it together tonight. He's already expecting it and is open to viewing and discussion. And he IS on the computer a lot and on Myspace.com.

One other thing I heard once about scaring a child, they say it's better to scare the s**t out of them now rather than regretting it later. (that is verbatim.)

 

[Tatertot]

Thanks Tatertot.
We will be watching it together tonight. He's already expecting it and is open to viewing and discussion. And he IS on the computer a lot and on Myspace.com.

One other thing I heard once about scaring a child, they say it's better to scare the s**t out of them now rather than regretting it later. (that is verbatim.)

I couldn't agree more! I'd advocate the scaring tactic over playing it safe and ignoring it ANY day! Props to you for raising a kid who is open to discussing hard topics with you!

I checked out Myspace.com a couple days ago, and honestly, it scares me. I understand the draw for kids/teenagers, but it can get out of hand and lead to other things FAST! (kind of like how we all get addicted to SoWal.com? :roll: ) I'm guilty! you find people with similar interests and start talking and you never know who's lurking in the background or waiting to prey on their innocence.

Good for you for watching and discussing with him! :clap_1: