gitana1
Verified Attorney
- Joined
- May 31, 2005
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This is how I feel about it, kalekona...as you said, a child can set this account up anywhere without any adult knowing about it...my son did it...I reported it to FB and they not only didn't do anything about it but he continued to get emails...A year later, when I realized the account still existed I weighed everything, including the fact that he had followed my decision and NOT used it in the last year and decided what I can get to know with his permission is a heck of a lot better than not knowing and keeping my head in the sand...others may not agree but I don't believe there are too many children out there that don't do things behind their parents back- and as we have seen in our own childhoods (at least I have) the more restrictive parents quite often have the most rebellious children...
As for those who say we are condoning lying...oh well...I do my best and try to teach them my best but I don't see FB, as an entity that is constantly changing their rules, etc. as "someone" that I'm worried about "deceiving"...call it rationalizing, or whatever you want...even if my child was 14 I would have them put an older age as it's really no one's business...how many people on here use their name? How many reveal a location? How many reveal their age? (I know many do, but many don't for a variety of reasons...).
I think this whole thing about this case and FB is a non-issue and I'm pretty sure it's not helping the situation with the mother and father who I'm sure are being judged in RL by petty people with little compassion. Worst case scenario that it was related to FB- still wouldn't be the fault of FB, IMO...
I don't know what RL is and I'm aware that what's reported in the media is not the whole story or always even accurate, but...so far, I have not seen one report where any neighbor, towns person, etc., has even hinted that the family is to blame for this. Even Celina's father, who could have jumped all over the mom and SF has said Celina reported she was loved at her home and that her mom was a good mother.
I don't see evidence of petty people or judgment of any kind thus far. Frankly, this looks like a nice, little town with some real compassionate people who all seem to know and care about one another.
As far as FB is concerned, I don't think anyone on here has said that FB is "evil" or to blame for what happened to Celina. Instead, people have speculated that easy, unfettered and non-private internet access for an 11 year old girl, could be a possible issue in this case and/or symptomatic of the way this child was raised.
I think the discussion of FB/internet access is no less legitimate a discussion as questions regarding step-parents, mental illness, criminal backgrounds, family relationships, etc. There is nothing cruel about it. That's what we do on websleuths, we speculate and brainstorm with as much compassion and propriety as possible.
I also highly doubt that Celina's family has made it over to a crime sleuthing site at this juncture. They are likely mostly in shock, grieving and trying to figure out what is going to happen next.
I do not believe the internet played a part in this case. I don't know anything, actually, but my suspicions tell me it is probably not the case. However, the discussion is valid, IMO and what we do here.
According to this link:
- 75% of children are willing to share personal information online about themselves and their family in exchange for goods and services.
- eMarketer - Only approximately 25% of children who encountered a sexual approach or solicitation told a parent or adult.
- Crimes Against Children Research Center - One in 33 youth received an aggressive sexual solicitation in the past year. This means a predator asked a young person to meet somewhere, called a young person on the phone, and/or sent the young person correspondence, money, or gifts through the U.S. Postal Service.
- Your Internet Safety Survey - 77% of the targets for online predators were age 14 or older. Another 22% were users ages 10 to 13.
- Crimes Against Children Research Center