POLL: Have you ever considered that REAL life predators are on here too?

Question

I think that the majority of people in life are nice, however, I am also aware that robbers, rapists, thugs,and murders probably have the Internet too.
This concerns me especially when I see young woman posting their pictures and asking "Do you think I am pretty"?
I bet if you read through their answers you will find out the City that they are in and their age.
I even read on here at times that these very same "children" are stating that they are in love with so and so from here.
It scares me that they may fall prey to the predators.

What are you thoughts?
Have you too seen what I am saying?
Have you ever thought about the variables/combinations of the different dysfunctional personalities that can be on here?

Typo on "YOU" - Should be "YOUR"
OOPS!

1 thousand is depressed:
How DO YOU get that I am saying that I AM a predator ????? HUH???
Heck NO!!!

Why the thumbs down guys??
Play nice :)

♥Rae♥ NY:
I think about the fact that prison inmates are on here too. I know that not ALL are violent but it makes me wonder.......

I do not give thumbs down on my questions!

Thank you for your answers.
All of you have given very good reasons why people should be vigilant in giving out their personal information.

Recently in the news there has been another child that has fallen victim to another form of maliciousness, this time it was a neighbours mother impersonating herself as a young boy.
Poor girl has taken her own life when this fictitious boy ridiculed her.

Have fun here in cyber space but please be careful of who may be on the other side of your screen, imposter's of nice caring people and predators abound, you can never truly know ahead of time.

There is no "one" Best Answer you all derseve to share in this one however I will not let a question go into a public vote if I can help it.
Thanks again.

Answer 1

I thought this through and I will not give any personal information again. Also I do not ask if I'm pretty because thats just an opinion and I think I'm pretty the way I am.

Answer 2

I've often thought of that possibility when I see these questions and links to pictures.

Couldn't Yahoo prohibit questions that ask "Do you think I'm pretty?", or (even worse, considering the sexual implications), "Do you think I'm hot?" (One who asked that looked like a 12-year-old boy, wearing shades to look cool -- and at most he looked cute: great prey for possible pederasts.)

Apart from the possible dangers they might expose the questioners to, it does get pretty tiring to see the question lists filled with that kind of stuff.

Kids use Yahoo! Answers mainly for two things: to get their homework done by others, and to put themselves on display and/or seek personal gratification. Some may honestly have hang-ups or complexes, but many or most just do it to receive compliments. But they're exposing themselves too much.

So, in addition to the age limit (although kids can always enter false info if they want), I'd ban certain kinds of questions asking for opinions on people's personal appearance.

Answer 3

You're spot on in your observations. Terrifyingly so, in fact.

Some of these children state their ages, and others don't need to. Their spelling and grammar give them away. Having them naively provide links to their actual photos makes me cringe with fear for their safety.

As has been stated, parents should be on the watch, but that isn't always possible. Many of these kids use public computers, in schools, libraries and so on, many of which just aren't supervised.

As for 'nice people', all one has to do is read some of the messages posted here by foul-mouthed, sexually obsessed young men -- and women -- to make one wonder.

The youngsters aren't as safe as they like to think. Very scary stuff!

Answer 4

I consider it all the time and am extremely careful! I don`t know what would make bibbobxo think you are new to the Internet and very young. I don`t get that impress. at all! Thanks for the heads up to the innocent among us and ``Hi`` to the guys in jail, we know you`re here! Keep it fun, keep it safe, and always be careful! (Boys as well as girls of all ages!) This is a world of make-believe and people can say or pretend to be anything they like. Prove that your mothers didn`t raise any fools!

Answer 5

I've considered it. That's why I think that the age limit should be higher. Granted, if it were higher, to be honest, I'd lie about my age to use the site. I guess I'm addicted to Y!A. xD

But there's a line between who should be able to use the site, and who shouldn't, when it comes to age. Some young people present themselves as older than they are, and therefore it would seem that they are in fact an adult, rather than a child. But others make it all too obvious.

Answer 6

Yes, I have thought about it.
I think some of these younger girls on here are a little to 'trusting'. They have the idea "Oh, it won't happen to ME!" And that isn't true, I think the number of predators on here would probably surprise most of us. Myself included.

I am relatively safe on here, I don't give out hardly anything- but people need to realize that it doesn't take much to be tracked down. Your last name and the city you live in is enough.

Answer 7

It's honestly a terrifying thought. I cringe when I think of young teens posting pictures and giving their contact information away on the Internet. Most people are not going to take advantage of that, but there only needs to be one person who does to make it a tragedy.

Answer 8

I agree it dos scare me some times too think of who's one here. I feel bad for people who ask If they look good so I try to be positive but I know some one else might be there looking at them for the wrong reasons.

Answer 9

I defiantly think that there are predators and criminals that are on the Internet. people need to be really careful about just putting all their information on the Internet. A girl should keep her address, full name, telephone number, and age private in order to keep herself safe. So should I boy, for that matter.

Answer 10

If you watch closely you will find questions such as
where do you work
where do you bank
what state you live in
what shift or hours do you work
an others similar.
So yes there might be people here trying to figure out how to harm or rob people.
bware of what you answer.
Jim