A question for parents?

Question

What would you do if you caught your teenager going onto Yahoo! Answers, asking and answering disgusting, ronchy, sexually orientated, raciest and sacreligious questions?

Would you even let your teenager on there considering some of the questions that come across? Or would you rather keep them sheltered from that so that they can grow up to be better then that?

Answer 1

I would definitely take this opportunity to discuss the things that were written by my child. I would try to find out if they wre trying to be humorous, or if they were serious. IF this were their actual opinion, I would feel lousy as a parent, but at the same time realize I need to take action to open my child's mind - maybe expose them to culture, arts, make sure computers are in FAMILY spaces, be aware of what they are doing...

Answer 2

I'd take the computer away (but not indefinitely) and not let him onto the internet anymore unless it was for schoolwork.
However, realistically, he'll just do it elsewhere if not at home.
It doesn't necessarily mean he's depraved or that anything is wrong with him. Maybe he's just sowing some oats. All teens do that, it's not a crime. Besides, the censors at Yahoo are always watching and if there's a problem, he would have been banned from the site already.
Talk to him and ask him why.
He might just tell you the truth. You never know. Good luck. : )

Answer 3

If your child is both answering and, more importantly, asking questions of the nature you're alluding to, you have a much bigger issue than computer access and Yahoo!.

Think about it.

What comes out of a person in their speech, behavior or, in this case, their online communication, is only what is already in their heart to begin with.

The types of shocking messages, interests and attractions that your teenager is responding to and writing are already rolling around in their brain before they reach the computer keyboard - Yahoo! Answers simply gives him/her an outlet for all that thought life.

I suggest you try to sit down and honestly, openly and transparently start a discussion about what your teenager is thinking and feeling nowadays.

Won't be easy - many teenagers would rather have dental work than open up to their parents about private, embarrassing and personal issues. But you need to try before it's too late.

Dealing only symptomatically with computer access and the like is sort of like dealing with a bad car by not driving on the freeway - you may prevent some symptoms but you're not really reaching root problems.

Answer 4

Considering it takes a while to clean off some of the porn questions, I would probably keep my teen off the site until they were close to 18 years. Just think about some of the detailed sexually explicit kink posted as questions and ask yourself a young teen has enough life experience to sort out how life can be a beautiful experience from selfish manipulation of others. The key in the "two consenting adults" is the word adult.

I always gave my children a lot of freedom. When they were found somewhere that broke the rules then the freedom became less and less until it was gone--since one always pushed herself there. They learned real quick that behaving meant freedom. They also found out their friends without limits grew up to make some pretty bad choices very young.

Answer 5

Let's face it. You can't keep your children sheltered because one of two things will happen. Either the child will rebel or be totally dependent on others,which isn't normal. I suggest confronting your child about such topics. You should also trust your child by not invading his or her privacy. Think back to when you were a teen. Did you want your parents looking through all your stuff? I think you should respect your child and do the same for him.But other than that, I don't think you should prohibit your child from Yahoo. Because no matter where the child goes, something "bad" will come up. Its your job as a parent to raise a normal child and because you are taking an interest in him, you are fulfilling your job.

Answer 6

Think about it... they're probably getting a lot of really educational answers to the questions they're asking. Weather they're asking raunchy questions or not isn't the problem... it's that you may be sheltering / overprotecting them a little bit. Not that this is bad, but you are worrying about something that all teenagers do. They talk about these things as school and when you're not around... it's just part of growing up. Kids will be kids... just don't worry so much about it. It's normal!

Answer 7

They can and will only grow up to be what they will grow up to be. Sheltering often leads to more and worse rebelion than can be imagined. I know a guy who was raised strictly christian, not allowed to wear shorts, swim, watch tv, and probably other stuff he didn't tell me. Anyhow, when he finally moved away from home he ended up marrying a crack addicted pregnant woman. He lived with many homosexual couples and was highly addicted to coke for some time. He was never exposed to anything at all so he didn't have a realistic way to feel about such things. I would let my kids do it, but I might also make sure they know what they're talking about. Best wishes

Answer 8

I'm not sure,growing up I was that kind of teen.But when it comes to my baby,no I wouldn't let it happen.I would NEVER raise my child to grow to be racist,ronchy, or Sacreligious,if your in this position take Yahoo answers away

Answer 9

Actually I think it depends more on how they are answering the questions...if it's joking or poking fun I wouldn't worry too much just remain aware of what you;re child does...if they are being serious and answering llike they might have some knowledge, then i'd worry. I would sit my child down and talk to them about the things you found...they will be angry at the fact you were spying on their activity but don't allow that to become the issue...tell them that you can discuss that later but for now you need to talk about what they have been doing on Yahoo! Answers. oh yeah and if it feels like your child is lieing to you it's because they are.

Answer 10

Well, if I found out my child was posting that kind of thing, then certainly I would have to deal with it. But I would let my teenager browse these boards of questions. There is inappropriate content all over the internet. It is my job to teach them how to make good, safe choices and teach them how to be a decent human being.

It's a sick world out there and the sooner they learn to deal with it and protect themselves the better off they'll be.