From Dear Abby...
http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/[/url]
ONLINE VIDEO GAME THREAT CATCHES PARENTS UNAWARE
DEAR ABBY: Our 13-year-old son, "Kirk," is monitored when he is online, he is given a curfew when visiting neighborhood friends, and he is overall watched like a hawk. However, we have let him play the video game Xbox Live (where kids all over the country play the same games). We recently found out that an adult (posing as a child) had promised Kirk a free pass and asked him to call to tell him where to send it.
Our son, not knowing any better, did indeed call this man. Fortunately, he did not give him any information. But he didn't think to block the phone number, so now this predator has Kirk's cell phone number. (We are turning off the phone.)
Abby, please warn parents that video games that allow children to play online should be supervised, too! We have had a long conversation with our son, as well as contacted the authorities in the state where this man lives. We are ... TRULY GRATEFUL OUR SON IS SAFE IN THE SOUTHWEST
DEAR TRULY GRATEFUL: I'm sure many parents are unaware that their children are vulnerable when they play online games. Of course, the best way to safeguard a minor who plays these games is to have not just one "long conversation" on the subject, but rather an ongoing dialogue about predatory adults who pretend to be someone they aren't.
Liz Woolley
Thanks Liz...
For your consistent vigilance on our cause! It amazed even me when I found out how many persons "my age" were playing wow and acting like they were minors. And on a similar note, how many men were playing female characters and getting involved in semi-sexual relationships with other much younger men (boys)!
"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." --W. Clement Stone
I am sorry, this strikes me too extreme. Having your kid watched "like a hawk" sounds just scary ... Fear breeds fear breeds crime.
It's just an expression. The writer wanted to make the point in the very small space allotted in a Dear Abby column that even the children of vigilant parents can be targets. However, you have to keep in mind that in the US, that is what is expected of parents, and even when we do, we are subjected constantly to criticism from people who claim we didn't watch our kids closely enough. It's a no-win situation for parents. I understand that kids in Europe have more freedom than kids here, but the culture is completely different.
"Small service is true service while it lasts. Of humblest friends, bright creature! scorn not one
The daisy, by the shadow that it casts,
Protects the lingering dewdrop from the sun." -------William Wordsworth
John, not fighting with you but I don't think that's "similar." My character was 27 (never aged even though I played till I was 37) although a lot of other characters were late teens/early 20's (nobody allowed to be less than 18) even though their real-life person was 30/40/50, and I remember at least a few RL young people role-playing even age 60+ to appear wise/all-knowing and to get a higher mental ability character. I personally don't think there was anything wrong with playing a character in a different age bracket than your real self, that's what role-playing is. Also in my game it was reversed ... the male characters in games were mostly played by women. Female characters weren't as strong unless you created one like an amazon like my character Shandii was, 6 feet tall, over 200 lbs., I mean, how sexy is that? But Shandii was an excellent hunting partner. And as far as older men finding younger male characters to have relationships with, that's really disgusting but I'm sure it happens and I know it does happen in real life chatrooms, but I personally would hope most men don't decide to play online role-playing games solely for the purpose of finding a younger male to be in a relationship with. There may be a few but I don't think that's the sole reason the majority play. That's sick and I'm not naive either. I don't think your two thoughts are similar. Debbie
"Failure is an event, never a person." -- William D. Brown
I would not be surprised if there were a TON of predators in WoW and other games. Kids, especially young boys, play them. To quote Willie Sutton (who never actually said it--it was actually a reporter), that's "where the money is". Also, there have been studies of gender-swapping in games and there is a lot of that too. I'll have to see if I can dig up some of the articles I've read.
"Small service is true service while it lasts. Of humblest friends, bright creature! scorn not one
The daisy, by the shadow that it casts,
Protects the lingering dewdrop from the sun." -------William Wordsworth
I have been accused of being sick before. I place nothing beyond the reach of the truly sick disguised predators out there attacking our youth!
"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." --W. Clement Stone