Topic : 01/15 Internet Mistakes

You took the words right out of my mouth!!!  I can't believe that even Dr Phil didn't make that distinction - nor did the Employment Recruiter. 

Dr. Phil,

I love you and I love your show.  I watched today concerning the little girl who hung herself.  As a parent I can not imagine living with such a tragedy.  However, I must say that this little had to have some issues prior to this tragedy.  For a 13 year old girl to go to such an extent would really make me question as to what other issues were taking place.

Also, and please I'm not down playing this tragedy at all, but I can tell you as a parent of a teenager they do not have access to My Space, or to any other sites that would allow this type of communication, they do not have access to email and can not instant message anyone.  I put blocks on all those functions so that my teenager can not participate.  If they want to talk to their friends, I'm sorry, but they have to suffer through and do it the "old fashion" way - USING THE TELEPHONE.

The problem today is children have so much more available to them at their finger tips, that they are neither old enough or mature enough to handle such freedom, so that's where the parents MUST step in.  Too many parents these days are using the internet, video games, and television to take the place of parental guidance.  I know I'm probably considered the meanest mother around, and if that's the case well so be it.  I will not allow my children to be subject to such trash and as long as I have control of my kids and what goes on in my household, that's the way it's going to be.

With technology growing and increasing, parents need to take more time to check on what their children are doing. 

One other comment I wanted to make - unfortunately the gentlemen that was supporting and upholding our right to freedom of speech I believe is correct.  I think once we begin to place limits or restrictions or what people can and can't say - more problems will arrise.  HOWEVER, just like I wouldn't allow my 13 year old girl go into a store and purchase a playgirl magazine, I do not allow her to be exposed to such things on the internet.  We don't expect the stores to take away all the inappropriate magazines, however, we as parents can control what our teenagers read and what takes place in the home.

I usually do not comment on such things - but this tragedy really got to me, and I can't help to believe that if this little girl had restrictions placed on the computer that would allow her to use it for research purposes, school work, etc. just maybe it wouldn't have come to this.  At least if someone wanted to be mean to her they would have had the guts to do it in person. My greatest sympathy and my heart goes out to the family and the parents of this little girl.

Thanks for listening. 

I wish for you and your family nothing but the best of luck, good health, and much happiness,

God Bless,

Gina

The people putting pictures of themselves drunk on the internet argue that these pictures were taken in fun and should not be taken seriously. What they fail to understand is that everybody else IS taking the pictures seriously. Whether they SHOULD or SHOULD NOT the reality is that they are. So with that knowledge, they choose to go ahead and do it anyway. Then after posting these pictures on a public forum - they are up in arms when the public has an opinion about them. Well, you can't have your cake and eat it too. If you choose to portray your self image in that way - you have to accept the consequences of your actions. They're inability to understand that your personal life absolutely affects your professional life evidences their lack of maturity.

I just hope that the 17 year old gets help for her drinking problem. If she is getting good grades in school and plans to go to college - she is just setting up giant road blocks in her own way! Where were the adults in her life up to this point who should have told her that this is not acceptable behavior?

The sub teacher - I don't even know what to say about him. He should not be working in the school district at all. Would you want him teaching your kids? He doesn't want to be there, he is promoting his band that he must know some parents may find objectionable, and even after he gets his job back - he does it again!? I just don't get it.

I find it interesting that our young people always manage to find a way that makes the rest of us cringe and all we can do is "counsel" them about their evil ways.  I wonder how many young people have changed their behavior as a result  of our wise counsel when they were bent on doing it "their way" at all cost.  If our young people must learn for themselves the consequences of their stupid and foolish behavior,  then perhaps we need to save our breath and let them learn, after all,  it is their turn.  Their turn to be passed over for a job they wanted because of their foolishness as a young person; their turn to be thought of as a misfit, roughneck or slut because of the way they presented themselves in their younger days; their turn to not be all they could be because of their desire to go against the grain for what they mistakenly believed was their freedom of expression. I wish them well,  and please, don't ask for spare change, it is my turn to "just say no"