Quote From: flthomcatNo, at age 16 they don't always know what's right, wrong, appropriate and inappropriate. Many don't have parents who give a flip about them! But if they DO know it, that doesn't mean they use common sense (and restraint) and make good choices. Yes, people should be "responsible for their own actions," but it's up to us parents to make the best choices for our children! TEENS are NOT responsible adults!
You are apparently CLUELESS on the emotional development of teenagers. Take that from a high school teacher who has had the priviledge of working w/ them 5 days a week! Teens are naive, immature, too trusting, think they'll live forever and bad stuff happens just to others, they are self-indulgent, they often don't learn from their mistakes, they think they know EVERYTHING, etc.
Don't YOU recall being a teen? Haven't you matured GREATLY since then? We all have!
I did not blame MYSPACE. It's a tool for those mature enough to handle it. But do not EVER tell me teens should be on it and talking to strangers, which they WILL do. They're curious. They're human. They think they know what's best for them. They are trusting. They see the best in others. And THAT Is what makes them easy prey to PREDATORS! Those "predators" not only include criminals, but lying boyfriends, lying girlfriends and just plain losers.
It's very easy for those types to HIDE behind a computer screen; it's NO SO EASY for them to do that face-to-face in school, at work, in church, etc. And YOU know that.
I'm sorry, but if they had parents who ACTED LIKE PARENTS & taught them, then at 16 they WOULD/SHOULD know what is right, wrong, appropriate & inappropriate! And NO, they dont always use common sense, I'm very well aware of that, but teens WOULD learn from their mistakes more if their PARENTS actually MADE them take RESPONSIBILITY for THEIR actions when they dont use common sense, instead of blaming everyone/thing else.
I am NOT clueless, I know very well how teens are, I also know how a lot of parents aren't. I'm 21 years old & have seen & heard a lot of things first hand.
And YES, it IS just as easy for "predators" to hide who they really are face-to-face in school, at work, at church, etc. They could be very charming ANYWHERE, NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE (on the net or in public), and anyone who thinks otherwise is in a bit of denial.
Lets stop treating TEENS like spoiled little babies & actually hold them accountable/responsible for what THEY (rightly or wrongly) CHOOSE to do!
(Original Air Date: 11/15/07) Dr. Phil continues the story of a young woman who made international headlines when she ran away to Palestine to be with a man she met on the Internet when she was just 16. Katherine was stopped by the FBI and brought back home, but two years later and now an adult, she’s left the United States again to be with Abdullah, the man she says she loves and wants to marry. Katherine’s terrified family thinks she is being brainwashed, and may never be allowed to return home. They say they’ve witnessed Abdullah’s violent temper when he’s verbally abused her over the phone. Now, in an exclusive interview via satellite, Dr. Phil speaks with Katherine and Abdullah together. Is Abdullah lying about letting Katherine return home? Is this couple already married? Talk about the show here.
