Should adult (strangers) be banned from engaging children in discussion on the internet?

Question

I appreciate its not policable but should a perpetrator come out (one has been discussed in the news saying he chats to and encourages children to kill themselves on camera) then the police should be able to act against them to ensure they are punished and also that adults understand that chatting to kids on the internet is not right.

I cannot think why any random faceless stranger would feel its ok to get to know children on line, most often without the child's parents knowing anything about it. Shocking.

Answer 1

Whilst I respect what Michael has just said to you, I think to protect ourselves it would be best not to correspond with minors, I have been connected to many times on this forum I check out the profile if it looks like they are under 16 I deny the connection and block them, it may seem harsh but I don't want to become involved with their problems, youngsters are too hormonal and unpredictable.

Answer 2

Some reporters, seeking youngsters' opinions on a variety of topics, from the death of a fellow student, to how they feel about the skate park closing down, may use the Internet to find such kids.

It's also a two-way street, and the kids should take responsibility: kids shouldn't talk to adults who can't be verified. Neither should kids post their personal information such as what school they go to, home phone and cel phone.

Answer 3

I take exception  to what  i think your getting at, but may i point out that not all adults are thinking about hurting , or messing with kids some just wish to hear there opinions and views, it is just showing what a terrible society and world we live in .

Answer 4

Difficult one this, last year I received an email from someone who had asked a question about the Kurdish situation, I had answered and followed up with more information.

Now because the person (girl) who emailed me said that she was going to present this to her class, it was obvious that she was 18 or under.

A little later, I received another email, because she had read my profile wanted to know more, such as, about what I had done and the places that I had visited.

Now this went on for a while and stopped a couple of months ago, the thing is this, was I wrong to correspond with her over the Internet? or was it a natural thing to do?

In so far as I am concerned, it was OK although we knew each others Christian names, that was all. The correspondence was all carried on through Q&A email.

I realise that the above does not constitute chatting, but it is still contact.

So would I be guilty of an offensive action?