One of the girls I take care of is in the fourth grade. Recently, she started playing a game on the Internet - one of those games where you can talk to other players. She told me that she's gotten 10 of her classmates to play, too, so that they can all converse with each other and "help each other out." Then she told me she had a "boyfriend" on the game. I asked if she meant one of her classmates, and she said "no," that it was a guy in the game. This girl is very innocent, so I explained to her the dangers of sharing information with "strangers" on the Internet, especially guys who claim to be a boyfriend. I asked if he'd asked her for personal info, and she said he had. Thinking she was being funny, she told him she was from France. Should she not even be playing this game? What about her friends that are playing this game? I am not her parent, just a caretaker... but I am very concerned about the safety of this little girl and her 10 classmates. Any advice would be welcomed.
2007-01-21 09:30:49 · 6 answers · asked by scruffycat 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I do know the name of the game.. but did not want to say here. I didn't want Yahoo trolls to meanwhile go and check out the game... Me? I don't trust anybody.
2007-01-21 09:51:24 · update #1
I will definitely tell the parents.. it is hard to get a hold of them, meanwhile, and equally hard to make them understand things like this, as English is not their first language. I am not so worried about this little girl, as she is spooked easily, and I have talked with her about the danger. My concern, now is for the 10 classmates. I like the idea of talking to the teacher.. I think that is what I'll do... or at least talk to the school administrator.
2007-01-21 19:59:03 · update #2
No, they absolutely should not be playing that game! You should tell her parents about the conversation you had with her. They need to know that someone is approaching her on the internet. I'd let her teacher know of your concerns also, so she can let the other parents know what their children are doing. The parents should already know what they're doing, but obviously they must not. Thank you for being concerned and caring about those children. I would just tell the parents and the teacher what you related here. If they feel like you are telling them how to raise their children they may not be as receptive to what you're saying and they really need to be on top of this situation.
2007-01-21 09:40:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Did she tell you the name of the game? I'm just wondering because there's games like Imvu (something like that) where you find dates and friends. I think you should know more about the game to decide whether she should play or not and you have the right to be concerned. Lots of people out there are trying to hurt little kids. Also this "boyfriend" thing might be just a little pretend game, lots of people do that in games. Some are serious, some aren't. Warning her might not help, kids think the world is safer than it is.
I think you should tell her parent, maybe they might know what to do. And maybe get to know more about this "boyfriend".
Hope you solve this problem. =]
2007-01-21 09:45:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That little girl is playing with fire. Do her parents know? Is there any parental controls on her computer? You are in a sticky spot because you are not the parent, so I would make sure the parents of all those kids know what they are doing and are very closely supervised. They should not be conversing with anyone they don't know in real life at that age!
2007-01-21 09:40:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd tell her parents asap. Let them find out what their kid is doing on the internet. Look at it this way.... if you don't tell, and she gets kidnapped, raped, and murdered, are you going to feel better about sitting on it????????? I didn't think so. You're an ADULT in this situation, step up!
2007-01-21 10:51:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's true there are predators on the internet, but as long as they don't give real personal info they should be ok. Saying you're from France is a great idea. Encourage her to only give false info to strangers.
You're right to be concerned, but kids are pretty savvy these days.
2007-01-21 09:40:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
you should just tell her parents.
2007-01-21 09:39:03 · answer #6 · answered by vanessa 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋