Ok so is this harmless?

Question

I'm babysitting my niece and she uses my laptop.A few minutes ago, i noticed she went on a website called clubpenguin.com.I wasn't being snoopy i was just intrested.She had her ''penguin'' logged on so i clicked on it and signed on.Ok she's 10 years old and her penguins name is redhotgirl???? so i was like what the heck? and you can talk to other penguins or something.I said hi on her penguin and he said are you taken? i guessed what that meant and i saw other penguins going beak to beak kissing! is this harmless to a 10 year old? i dont want her telling anyone where she lives! i know shes smarter then that but you never know.I didn't talk to her about it because she'll think im snooping!

Answer 1

Tell her parents when they come and pick her up. They may not be aware of what she is doing on line. It's probably harmless, but they should still know. Kids grow up a lot faster then we did at that age.

Now go take her outside to play. No reason to be cooped up inside on a nice day.  

Answer 2

My daughter and 4 of her school friends use to have a clubpenguin. I would sit with her while she was on it. I think her screen name was something about coconuts at the beach. anyway, you could choose who to talk to and her and her friends only talked to each other and had all other penguins on ignore. they played games together and I never saw those kissy beaks????

They got bored with after a month (thank god!) I was sick of looking at the screen anyway.

That website was voted in parent magazine as one of the few kid friendly sites. It is monitored like crazy and your account can end for almost anything. Even asking another penguin what their first name is.

I'm shocked that you saw that. it has been a year since we've seen that site but boy, things musta changed! Let her mom know. I'm sure she will cancel the site if she knows about all that stuff.

Answer 3

Talk to her parents and make sure they know what she's doing.

It's not your place to talk to her about it, but, it is her parents'. Once you tell them they can choose how they want to handle it.

Answer 4

I think you should talk to her about it and act like you are interested to join to start with so it doesn't come off like you are being a snoop. Get the low down on what goes on there and ask her what she talks to others about, if her mother knows she is on and stuff like that. If it sounds harmless leave it be, just give her a little remind about not giving out her address or phone number stuff like that. If it doesn't sound right tell her mom and let her know as well. I don' t think it is harmless from the way you described it, you don't know what kind of perv goes onto that kind of site looking of innocent little girls and boys.  

Answer 5

You need to tell her parents and let them take care of that. Any site where people are chatting or talking is not for kids that age. People lie and how do you know they are who they say and even though you don't think she would give out her addy these predators have ways of getting to kids and getting them to give out information.

I wouldn't take any chances.  

Answer 6

um......

thats  harmless

it is setting a bad example to her because

it showing that its OK to do things on the Internet

like that and she might slip up and give where she lives

Answer 7

Mention it to her mom.  Maybe her mom looked into it and thought it was ok.  Or, her mom may now block the site after she finds out.  But I would mention it to the mom since you seem concerned.

Answer 8

I would def tell her mother. God forbid something happened to her you would feel bad for not saying something.  At 10 her internet usage should be monitored anyway.

Answer 9

well i wouldnt let my child on any websites where you can talk! being that its your niece talk to her mother about it.

Answer 10

I would tell her parents to keep an eye on when she uses the site and what you saw.  That sounds like a weird website to me!  

It's not your child so you can't discipline her but I would definitely tell her parents!!!!!!

Answer 11

maybe try & have her tell you what she is doing on the internet. ask her "so what sites do you usually visit?" or something like that. and if she says the penguin site, ask her what you do on there...

then you can talk to her about the whole situation with out her knowing you already knew what the site was about.

if that doesn't work, maybe tell her mom b/c there are a lot of sick people in this world, and at age 10, your niece may be mature, but not fully  matured, ya know what i mean?

Answer 12

Tell her parents. That is too dangerous, whether you are snooping or not, you are the adult in this situation, and have to look out for the best interest of the child. Nowadays, people want to be children's "best friends" instead of an adult figure. You are more mature and your brain understands the dangers and harms of internet predators, let alone behavior not suitable for a child. Take charge whether she thinks you are snooping or not, because if you really love her, you don't want her doing anything harmful or inappropriate. Trust me she'll get over it and later on understand where you are coming from.

Answer 13

This is something you need to inform her parents of. This may seem harmless right now, but as she gets older if she continues to do this it will get worse. She may be dealing with crazies, stalkers, and who knows what else! If you tell her parents right away they can make sure that their is a stop put to this. You are her aunt and I am sure you want her to be as safe as possible. Sure, she may get upset with you, however you will feel much better knowing she is safe.  

Answer 14

h**l no that isnt harmless! my little sister did the same thing just a few weeks ago and she is seven. i mean when i was that age i still thought boys had cooties! yea maybe she will think you were invading her privacy but would you rather be safe than sorry? think about it there are a lot of perverts in the world how does she even know if that person is who he says he is. just be careful on how much freedom you give her on the computer