Topic : Is This Normal Social Discussion

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to bring something up that has been bothering me, and find out what you all think about it.  I just watched an old Oprah show (don't know how old it is) and it was about a teenage boy that got lured into having an internet porn business when he was only 13.  Have any of you seen this?  It started out with a kid who was computer-savvy, who got a webcam, thinking that he could use it to make friends.  Almost immediately he got sucked in by predators and it escalated to something where he was basically pulling in thousands of dollars every week by doing live sex show son this webcam.  He's now become a federal witness and is in a protection program.

Obviously, this is a very scary thing, and I don't intend to let Erin have a webcam, or a computer in her rooma dn that kind of thing.  But I'm wondering about something that seems innocent, but I have a feeling that it's not.  At the store you can buy a Webkinz.  Also you can buy Bella Sara cards.  Both of these things lead the kids to websites that let them play games, feed the virtual animals, horses, whatever.  There was another site that I can't remember what it was called now, where the kid could create an avatar, that could earn money with a job, buy furniture for a house and stuff like that.  That one also allowed some chatting and interaction with other kids on the site, IF the parent allowed it, which I didn't.  I've checked out all these sites and they seem innocent enough; they profess to be closed, secure sites, blah, blah, blah.

My question is this... am I being paranoid in thinking that the actual purposes of these things is to get kids used to using the computer, used to "living" in a virtual world, chatting with other "kids", so that when they get older, they will be comfortable in sites that aren't so secure??  Am I dreaming up a conspiracy theory that it's the predators that have designed these sites?

I've definitely limited the time Erin can spend on these activities, although in recent months, there were times when I was so exhausted that I had to take a nap, and then I couldn't monitor how much time she was spending.  But these websites have always made me uncomfortable, even though they seemed to be safe. But lately, I haven't been as tired and of course, with visitors etc, she's been too busy to think much about it.  Erin has a good friend her age, who I completely approve of -- I know her parents very well.  But she is the one encouraging Erin to play in these sites.  I'm sure that the friend is very innocent and only wants to share this with her friend.  But she has an older brother (who also seems to be a good, decent kid) who I have never seen do anything BUT playing on the computer.

Am I crazy to be worrying about this?  Have any of you with kids had experience with these types of sites?

I was going to catch up today, I got up feeling a wee bit better I thought, but the screen won't be still.  I am having the worst nausea/vertigo I can remember ever having. I am hoping it is just meds making me sick, it is some very strong stuff they have given me. I sleep in two hour runs at a time. My backside is getting plumb sore from it honestly.

Haven't heard from the docs yet about when to see the specialist about colon resection. My gp thinks I may want to do "elective colon resection".  I get limp at the thought of it. I guess the thought it that if I keep having bouts of diverticulitis it is only going to get worse each time and eventually will perferate my colon. Suxxors to be me.

I have either become the biggest wimp known to woman, or I have just suffered through a horrendously painful weekend. Now I like to think I am tough, I gave birth all three times naturally (though none were supposed to be they just ended up that way). I wait until an abcessed tooth has swollen my entire face into incredible hulk form. And I lived with gall stones and gall stone attacks for a year before I would have that surgery. <sigh> So I have never really thought of myself as a pain wimp, I'm a pretty tough cookie...or WAS that is.

This weekend in the ER they asked the usual question of "on a scale of 1 to 10 where would you rate your pain?" Now I for one think this is a stupid way to measure someone's pain but in reality what else has 'modern' medicine got really? I generally suck it up and have never given an answer more than a 6 in my life. Saturday I blurted "10" without a seconds thought. The doc looked kind of surprised, but I just didn't care. I had been so sick for the previous 12 hours that just no more was tolerable. I wanted to roll around and blubber frankly. So there, I was a "10". Probably the only time in my life I will ever be a "10" and definately not the kind of "10" I wanted to be. =/

I think since my surgery everything seems to hurt more, like it is magnified or something. Maybe that is lupus talking, arrrrgghhh.....I don't know and really don't even care. I just want to feel better. Ok someone call me a wha-a-a-amublance would ya?! Yeah right after you pass me the cheese....damnit nevermind they said no dairy. =P

Anyway, a couple of things to say before I have to call it, my innards are churning faster than I can type. 

Kelly, I think you will love going to the gym!! I loved it when I was going. It is very refreshing and just plain old feels good!! Glad you are losing weight too as long as that is what you want to be doing. =)

JP, I can never walk into a furniture store again and not try to visualize whether the employees have as much fun as you or not. ;) I suspect not.

Kak, just a quick note to let you know that John did get your birthday gift. Absolutely adorable!!!! I noticed he has it sitting right next to his computer. He was supposed to drop you a thank you and you may get it yet. He is gone to orchestra camp this week so I can't ask him if he got it done or not. Boys. =P  Anyway just wanted you to know he loved the gift!!

Neecie.....YAY!!! is there really anything else to say!

Loretta, Vicki I know you gals are busy with your mini-mees hehe!

Oh and last note, John made first chair at camp!! His little bright light can shine on the worst of days. =)

Hugs,

Ami

xoxox

I just now read this.....Al Gore over this woman shows what I have said for a bit now. The Nobel Peace Prize sadly has deteriorated to a pop fest contest instead of the honor it once was. I have been saying that since they awarded it to Yassir Arrafat. When they gave it to a terrorist I knew it had gone to s***.  =(

Ami

xoxo

out posting something. So. How ya doin? lol

I'm doin' fine. Not so much from the rest who are here...

Did you sell out the store already? LOL

And thank you Kathy for saying that. I have no idea what ya'll think of the emails I send. I hardly ever hear from some of you and if ya'll prefer, I don't have to send em. It's alot of effort to make sure you all get them, and if you really would prefer I don't send them, it's way ok with me. Could you just say it to me so I don't have to send it out to so many of you? I do think I'm completely blessed with what I get and I think alot is top knotch and very many I just delete or send to those that do respond. It's an amazing world out there and I feel priviledged to recieve what I get.

When Ami said she shut it down I was thinking "But how in this world would they know these things if they didn't participate? Way more stuff we would never, ever know if it weren't for the internet. And this chat room? I'd die a thousand deaths to not hear all or your news and everyday events. And how could I survive without your input when I face a crisis? Which of course even I do as wonderful as my, not quite normal, life is. Simple yes But I still have "stuff" I have to deal with. I'm single. Many friends, but cyber friends are as important as those ones  I see every day. Never do I want to end a computer world. Ever! You guys are as real to me as those other ones, cept I truely love you.

I didn't say shut it down!!! I love my computer and the internet and I think it is great for learning! I love my internet friends and I like my kids being on the computer and learning how to function in the next dimension. Hell I'm a sci-fi geek!

>>>>>>>TRACE<<<<<<<<said shut it down! =P She be the guilty one!!!!!!!

She doesn't love us like she says she does... ;(

*giggle*

Ami