Unsupervised minors on line... Where's the parents?

Question

I am married with 6 kids. our kids lead full and happy lives. I promise you, I am not a perfect parent and my kids screw up, just like most will from time to time. I just dont understand how parents can let their children do some of the things they do.
Our home computer is in the living room for the sole purpose of watching what my kids are doing on line. I read through some of these questions every morning, and I am getting more and more appalled by what these kids are posting. Do their parents know what they are doing? Are these the same parents that wont know where their kids are at 11pm on friday night? Please help me understand how we can allow our children so much freedom online and assume they will be safe. Am I the only parent that thinks this way?

Answer 1

No you are definately not the only parent that thinks that way. I don't have children old enough to be on the computer yet. Knowing how dangerous the internet is, my daughter will be supervised if and when she ever does use a computer. I also cannot believe only the questions, but the fact that a parent even allows a young child on a forum such is this.
It just amazes me that internet safety is still not taken seriously by some parents.

Answer 2

Well my parents are at work right now :) But they trust me completely, i'll be 18 soon and I spend almost 24 hours on a computer or a gaming console. I never leave the house so my parent's barely ever have to worry. And they never wonder what i'm doing on the computer, i'm homeschooled and my courses are over the internet.

I've been going online since I was atleast 9 from what I can remember and being in a chat room, and I remember someone asking me where I was from and I told them. I remember telling my mom what I did and asking her if I was wrong, and she was extremely mad at me. For the next 2 weeks I was so scared that the guy could find me, ever since then I never did it. Personal experience has scared me from doing things on the internet. I also watch all the horror stories and watch what I say, you just need educate your kids and if you don't feel confident enough then restrict their freedom(block sites, etc.). But I don't believe in spying on them unless they've broken your trust or they're out of control and you're worried for there safety.

Answer 3

I mainly blame the parents(they should be closely watching what these kids are doing), but I do think the schools need to do a better job educating the kids of the dangers of online activity. I am from the Chicagoland area and I would say about 50% of the schools do not have any type of program or speakers at all.

Answer 4

I am a sixteen year old girl and have been through alot in the past 2 years, although my parents have watched me and guided me and helped me best i could, being a teenager, we sneak around and try and do what other kids our age are doing, problem is those "other kids" have parents who do drugs, are disfunctional or just dont care what their children are doing. I have come to learn that my parents are only trying to help and not there just to lecture me.

This is why i am now studying nursing to become a Youth Worker.

I have overcome drugs, anorexia, pregnacy, rape and loss of a close family member in a tragic death, but overcoming this has brought me to realise alot more in life and now i want to set an example for other kids my age and younger who have no life experience.

Good luck with your answers and i hope that i can help to reduce the amount of children wandering the streets and depending on drugs. xoxoxo

Answer 5

You aren't the only one who thinks this way. My kids are still young (2 1/2 and 5) but they will never be allowed to have a computer in their room. Their computer now is in their play room in the basement which is clearly visible from other areas. It's scary how little some parents are involved!

Answer 6

No you arent. however these kids have access to computers at librarys, schools, and at friends houses. Parents cant be looking over thier kids shoulders 24/7 there has to be some level of trust there. But some of these questions the kids are asking are how to talk to their parents and that shows that there is little of a relationship there with that kid and that parent when they cant talk to each other.

Answer 7

Well not all the people posting are kids, I'm an adult. No, I don't understand how parents even allow thier kids to come to this site. I don't think anyone under the age of 16 should be allowed on this site. Some of the questions are too mature for such a young audience.

Answer 8

No your not the only parent that thinks that way. My son is only 5 and Im already starting to worry about things like that....by the way he probably knows more about the computer then I do.

Answer 9

As a college student who grew up watching the internet grow, i hear ya. My parents watched me like a hawk, limited my time, and constantly reminded me of the "bad people" I too am apalled at the lack of supervision kids have now on the internet. I don't know when it replaced movies as the house baby sitter.

Answer 10

well im 13 1/2 and my mom is kinda strict some days she will not let me go to movies and i even tell her about the time that im getting home, the movie, she talks to peoples parents and on and on.. she is starting to let me go out more and more each time and less ad less question but im not one of those stupid kids i no it can happen to anyone but ifa guy comes up to me asking about a lost dogg or come with me i will karate chop him in the D*** i hope ya no wat i mean and if someone im s me online and i dont know whu it is afta i ask forhisame cause im new to a school i block him so yeah i can go on and on about safety like that hope this works for u