Internet Safety

[Lark]

Face it...we all love our internet. It has been a great place to gain information on a wide variety of subjects. And it has let us meet other people of like mind from all over the world. It's fun. It's entertaining. It's educational.

And it can be deadly!

Police are finding that sex offenders are using the internet as a way of finding new victims. On another board that I post to it was just learned that someone considered a regular was sending e-mails to younger members trying to solicit sex from them. And here in Tennessee we just had a young teen raped and murdered by someone that she met through Myspace.com.

The fact of the matter is that you can't tell anything about the person on the other side of that screen other than what they want to let you know about them. Are they really what they say they are? Who knows. But it is important to remember that some of the people who come to boards like this are not looking for a Pagan community to contribute to, they are looking for young, impressionable individuals that they can hurt.

We've had someone on this board show up trying to get teens to send them their personal contact information and offering to teach them. And on another board I post to, someone tried much the same thing. Perhaps these people are on the level and truly want to help younger posters. But there is no way to know that for certain. That's why Mods on responsible boards such as this try to keep an eye out for potential dangers. We feel a certain responsibility to protect our members from danger or harm.

But the person who can do the best job of protecting you is you yourself. Never, ever give out personal information such as your real name and/or address to someone on the net. Be cautious in giving out your e-mail address...it can be traced to you. And be very careful about offering to meet with someone you meet on-line. Always remember that there are predators out there who prey on the unsuspicious.

I don't mean to scare anyone with this post, but a little fear is good...it will make you more careful. We don't want to see people getting hurt.

-Lark-

[Anonymous]

Very good advice, Lark.  It's so sad that the world has changed so much since my childhood. I can remember on hot summer nites, leaving the doors open and the windows and letting the ceiling fan cool the house.  ( sigh )  so sad indeed  ( bending head down and shaking it )

[Ara]

Thanks, Lark, I'll spread the word.

[Anonymous]

The simple fact is, that whenever new technology is created such as the internet, or a new way of communicating ..... some sick weirdo is going to take advantage of it.

There was a guy who lived near me a long time ago, who had made friends with my neighbour who had 3 kids, he was always taking them out, they were always in his house and he asked to take Ryan out one day and being very friendly to me. I said No. A few weeks later, he was at my neighbours new years eve party and he asked me why I didn't like him, so I told him straight. A year later, it transiped that he had been arrested for child porn on the internet - nothing else could be proved but I'm sure he had other things in mind for those 3 kids.  If it hadn't have been for the internet, he'd still be prowling around out there.

Good post Lark, its made us all think again.

[Anonymous]

"To a lot of you this is just another sad bulletin or news article, but to the people who knew her she was their daughter, best friend, niece, cousin, crush, granddaughter, sister, prom date. Think of how they feel? and how you would feel if this happened to someone close to you.


Anna was stabbed at random while she was working at McDonalds one night. The made it to the hospital and died in the hospital at 9:00 that night. This shouldn't be happening. The man that stabbed her is being charged with murder. He shouldn't be living. A life for a life. Anna was such a sweet beautiful girl. Remember to enjoy the time given to you and appreciate your loved ones, friends and family alike, since you never know when your time comes or if your life will be taken from you. She has touched people around the world. She's got people in the UK crying. She was graduating this June. She missed her birthday. "[lovely] is legal is legal in 6 days" is her MySpace name...


R.I.P Anna Svidersky

Go to Her Myspace ..
www.myspace.com/scenes***

The comments she has will make you ball your eyes out ..
They made me think , what if she was your best friend ?

To repost this the right way
You have to hit "Reply to Poster" At the bottom
Copy ALL of the codes. Then paste it in a new bulletin .
Please repost .. For Anna



I remember this. The person who did this did not even know her. His comment?

"I knew I should have stayed home." "

This was one that was posted on a bulletin just the other day. Also there was one a while back of a girl who was looking into becoming a model, and contacted someone "claiming" to be a photographer, they met and she was murdered (I forget how).

All from myspace...there are nearly (if not) over 100,000 members on that site, some are evidently pretty messed up. I think the important thing is to use common since, and take nothing at face value, though from what I've read that wouldn't have helped that poor teenage girl who just wated to get an honest days pay.

[Anonymous]

I can tell you, that you should only visit the link provided if you have a strong heart...It is a tear jerking experience.

[Anonymous]

Hey Shrek!

I think i've read that story before. It's sad. And also outrageous! I mean, what is the world coming to?? :x

[Anonymous]

Hey Shrek!

I think i've read that story before. It's sad. And also outrageous! I mean, what is the world coming to?? :x

Wolf?! haha! Fancy meeting you here. Did you see the posted link on P.M.? Either way, I think you've found another pretty good online resource.

[Anonymous]

Hehe kool!

I might've read about it on P.M.. Can't remember lol