Question for parents?

Question

Have any of you monitored what your children do in chat rooms? I was on one the other day, just watching because my 13 year old son has been complaining that I don't let him in chatrooms like "All the other kids" so I told him I'd check one out and get back to him.

While I was there a 42 year old man, who was stupid enough to keep his age in his profile, was asking a 12 year old little girl some really inappropriate questions.

I know this is more of a statement than a question but I want to let you all know that you really need to watch them when they're in chatrooms. Just because it says teen chatrooms doesn't mean just teenagers go there.

Answer 1

I have a 15 year old step daughter who spends half her time with her mother who I know lets her do whatever she wants online, so I check on her daily, she has a myspace and every day I go on there and check out who shes talking too and what her friends myspaces look like. It keeps me really in tune with what shes facing in life, but I really wish she would just drop it all together, There are a lot of bad influences out there waiting to take our kids down. And as far as age on the internet I dont think there is such a thing. You cant believe what anyone says at all. They are just people behind a keyboard and could be making it up as they go along, and as you already know that is a huge threat. You have my applause for keeping an eye on what your son does, it's not easy to do but so many parents dont and I hate thinking about all of the horror stories.

Answer 2

My kids are only 1 and 2, so they don't go in chat rooms. I chat in a certain room regularly. There are a lot of times when parents will come in the room and let their kid get on the mic and start talking. We always inform the parent that that isn't too smart. I can't believe that parents will come into a room and let their small children listen to the conversation and talk on mic. 99.9% of the time they don't even listen to what are are talking about at the moment. It's great that you monitor your son. Personally, when a oyung person comes into the room I chat in, i ignore them. I put their name on ignore. It sounds mean but I'm sure you can guess the reason behind it. If a child is in there without a parent it's nothing but trouble. My dad always had a password on his computer when I was younger. I think I'll do the same when my girls get older.

Answer 3

I have a 16 month old little girl and I really DREAD the day that she will want to get on the computer. I have seen what guys talk about in these chatrooms and I for sure will NEVER let my little girl get in one of them. I also don't think I will let her have a myspace because the things I have seen on those!

Answer 4

Im a regular to chat rooms. Ive been chatting in one particular chatroom for the last 4 years regularly. What amuses me is everyone is so quick to jump up and down and scream about the "pedophiles" and the nasty people trying to have inappropriate talk with their precious darlings...when quite often its actually the "children" initiating whats happening.
These young girls are the scourge of chat as far as i'm concerned. They come into a chat room and talk about how " hott" and "sexi" they are, then go on and on about sexual topics, and brag about all their "conquests". And some of these girls are as young as 13!. Most of them claim they're "bi" (this seems to be the new trend of the week), and when you ask them their age, and then tell them to go away and peddle their wares elsewhere they get all offended and accuse you of being "jealous" of their youth and good looks. *rolls eyes*.
Im not saying there aren't bad people out there preying on innocent young girls, but alot of the girls are NOT as innocent as they act to their parents, and actually are ASKING to be preyed upon.
Blame both sides. They're as bad as each other.

Answer 5

I personally know more than one person who has seen their child compromised by this.One in particular couldnt find his thirteen year old daughter one night, and checked the computer. She was in a park near their home meeting a fifty six year old male. He pretty much beat the hell out of the guy and got rid of the computers in his home. Watch out, parents. Me included. My child does not get unsupervised internet access. And absolutely no chatrooms. If she wants to talk, she can talk to friends at school.

Answer 6

well my son is to young for me to worry about that kid of stuff, my my Cousin has a 14 year old son and an 8 year old daughter and be bought this program that will e-mail him as soon as someone asks an inappropriate question. and if they give out info it kicks them off and they cant get back on. so there are programs out there that let you monitor your children even if you aren't there. You just have to fork out the money for it.

Answer 7

i know i seen something like that on Dr. Phil. There are some sick a** people in this world and I have two boys and one lil girl and I am really gonna be cautious when their time comes they are younger right now 8 year old, 3 year old, and 11 month old.

Answer 8

It is really sad how these men or even some women go in and trick these kids into believing that they care. I wish that the kids could understand the danger in talking with these people. It would scare me to death to think that my son or daughter agreed to meet with someone they met on line.

Answer 9

That was great right now my oldest is 11 all they are allowed to to is games and homework our computer is out in the open wont ever go in their room and I am always in their face talking educating about nasty people.

Answer 10

Block the content of sites your son can go on. Then if he tries to access a restricted site, he will have to ask for a password to open it, and obviously if it is "bad" he won't even ask. If sites are blocked that you do approve of.... then punch in your password and click on "allow to always view this page".