Should convicted sex offenders be allowed to use chat rooms again?

Question

I noticed on the Yahoo news tonight that they want sex offenders to register all usernames and emails but will this deter them I wonder if there is a way to keep them away from the internet all together, sadly I dont think so what do you all think

Answer 1

they should be sealed in a mine. then flood it.

Answer 2

Just like society doesn't classify shoplifters as serial bank robbers and people who accidently kill a person when driving as a serial murderer, not all sex offenders are the same. The one size fits all approach does NOT work when you are talking about aa broad an offense as "sex offending." Some guys use the internet to stalk children; others use it for e mail, for their jobs or to look up sports scores.

There are few people in this world who would want to be stereotyped based on some aspect of their physical appearance or background. Yet that is precisely what you are doing by making a general statement that sex offenders should not be allowed on the internet.

Do not let scary media reports and the drivel that is "To Catch a Predator" and other such programs prompt you into thinking that all sex offenders are stalking children on the internet. These media shows don't know the facts, nor do the politicians, although that certainly hasn't stopped them from mis-reporting information to scare the public.

One of the problems with programs like news broadcasts and programs like "Predator" is that when the public always see these stories, they start to believe that it is universally true, when in fact, it may only be 5 percent. The proportionality of it is missing, especially when the media never balances the stories. Don't fall for it.

And for those who do not think that sex offenders cannot be rehabiliated, you must have missed the interview Chris Hansen of "Predator" fame had with Dr. Fred Berlin, who has run a sex offender treatment program from Johns Hopkins University for the past two and one decades. Find it on the internet, if you wish. It was an amazing interview and one that showed that there are some people who have objectivity to what has become a hysterical issue.

Answer 3

In my opinion SEX OFFENDERS should be locked away for good!! To think they can go on the Internet, work in public restaurants, even work in the medical field..... is totally insane. My son is a victim, he was raped for 6 years and unfortunately no one knew. It breaks my heart because this person was a very close friend of the family. I think all their rights should be taken away from them!! I'm sorry if I'm coming off strongly, but once a SEX OFFENDER God only knows what other sick things they are capable of. But how would we even know if they were on the Internet??? The laws are messed up!! This guy never did 1 day of jail time. But he is a REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER!! I wish there was a way they could be banned from the Internet permanently!! We need to protect our children!!

Answer 4

People do have the freedom to assemble (such that it is on the Internet) and I seriously doubt having people register names and e-mail addresses would deter anyone. Yes, sex offenders have rights too...not saying that I condone what they do (I certainly don't), I'm just wondering if it's a witch hunt, an excuse to trample on people's rights. If it isn't sex offenders, who would we go after next?

Given that they'll be in chat rooms anyway, the best thing one can do is EDUCATE your children, keep an eye on them, let them know the dangers. Let them know that there are people who get kicks out of hurting children.

Personally I think sex offenders should be given life in prison and MONITORED if they're allowed on the Internet. And by sex offender, I mean someone who's molested kids, not someone who was caught taking a leak against a telephone pole.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, this will probably not deter them from using chat rooms. I mean, how easy is it to set up a new profile on any chat site? Pretty easy.

As far as sex offenders go, I feel they should be locked up, throw away the key, and forget about them. They are monsters and as a parent of two small children, is my number one worry, will my children become victims of a sex offender. Not if I have anything to say about it.

Answer 6

Never mind the convicted ones! What about unconvicted ones? I mean- how many are never caught, eh?

Nothing deters an offender better than vigilance on the part of the possible target of the offence.

We need to ensure that we, as parents/adults/responsible persons know where the vulnerable are, and how to protect them.

As a parent the only person I trust to protect MY child is myself. Hence I am not allowing her to be on the net in unchaperoned situations where she could be a victim.

:-)

Do Yahoo take responsibility for underage or vulnerable groups. No. Why should they? They are not a steering group for social mores and they are into making a profit.

Sorry- I am not going to take the risk of relying on a system which is, by nature of the net, flawed and unworkable.

Answer 7

I believe that convicted sex offenders, with pedophiles at the top of the list, should have their internet accounts monitored by the local FBI office.

Denying them access to Ebay and online banking would violate their rights and give cause for Civil Rights lawsuits, but all email and history tracking should be detailed and their accounts restricted to preset limits, such as you would setup for a child.

No chatrooms, no downloading (porn), no access to online gaming...but they can buy a movie from Disney.com now and then.

They're required to register new home addresses, how hard would it be to tie that address and phone # to a database for ISPs to check for new accts?

Answer 8

I can see here that some of you people has lost there mind, all sex offender is not the same.... you all want sex offender to be locked or blocked on everything....what about all the stelling,killing going on.. they get better life than a sex offender...some of you need to wake up... there is a lot more than 1 way to be a sex offender...
some is done for the mean ness some is acc. some is just to get it... and other ways to be a sex offender....so who ever is 100% againist it should read more on all the ways of a sex offender... they have a life just like you...

Answer 9

I agree completely.
But as you have stated, this would be very hard to do, because there are so many ways to get to a computer and access the internet. I am amazed that there isn't some way to devise a system that allows internet access through fingerprint. So if I wanted to access the internet I would have to have my right index finger scanned, if I was a registered sex offender I would be denied access.
Just a crazy hairbrained idea.

Answer 10

Ok - I dont wanna seem like a sympathiser .... but so far we are asuming each peadofile or sex offender is pure evil and does it through choice. Some are mentally ill and actually CANT help it, they should be given as much treatment as avaible ... they should be monitored at all times ... but no-ones civil rights should be taken. Im not condoning anything these people do. . . . .

At the same time I cant help but think that we also have to remember, that in the same way 1000s never get caught ... there are those who are accused and are found guilty who haven't done anything wrong. I know its a much slimmer number, but it still happens.

Like I said, sex offenders and especialyl peapophiles should be monitored 24/7 ... but I hardly think that if someone was that desperate to rape someone lack of internet access would really change their minds.

*awaits the lash back*

Answer 11

I think sex offenders should be restricted, because after all, a person who has committed a sexual offense has a recurring mental problem that cannot be treated in most cases.

They should not be allowed to access chat rooms and any other sites where they can lure kids and others into violated acts.