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View Full Version : Youth Slain by Internet "Friend".



Danustouch
May 27th, 2002, 11:07 AM
I wanted to post this here, in hopes that more people would see it. It could easily also fit into Pagan Family, however, I think it's so important, that it should be posted here first.

My parents live in Danbury, CT. The town where this horrible crime occurred. And we visit that mall, frequently. More details have come to light since this article was posted in the NY times, the murderer has confessed, and said that he "Strangled the girl accidentally".

This article has captured world wide attention. Now, more than ever before (unfortunately, as parents should have been implementing safety measures long before now), parents are making themselves aware of every move their children make on the internet. My mother only allows my sister to use the computer when she is in the room with her. Does not allow my sister to chat, except on AIM, and makes my sister copy down the names, and addresses of every person on her buddy list, and tell her where she met them from. Please parents...watch your children. Know what they are doing at all times on the net. Don't be afraid to "invade" your childs personal space, or privacy. Their lives may depend on it.

Christina Long, was a troubled girl, from a broken home. Abandoned by her two drug addicted parents, and left in the foster care of an Aunt, she was searching for love, and approval. Ultimately, this is what led to her death. The absence of parental love in her life. However, it could also be argued that it could have been prevented, had her guardian taken proper means to patrol their ward's moves, and guide her steps.

http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/48453.htm

Yvonne Belisle
May 27th, 2002, 11:58 AM
As a parent I would like to say that knowing what your kids do online at home isn't enough. We have to teach them to be careful and to know what to watch out for. We can not be with our children 24 hours a day 7 days a week and sometimes they can have the oportunity to save someone else. If our children know they are loved at home they will not be looking for it online but thier friends could be. Our children could see something and get a friend help in time to prevent a tragedy like this one. I know the young people we have here are mature enough to know to be careful but we all make mistakes. We all need to be careful these things don't just happen to kids. Internet stalkers are out there and I know of several members of Mystic Wicks that have had personal experience with them. Those members were adults what happened to this young lady can be a harsh reminder to all of us to be careful. Also for those men that think they don't have to worry guess again it can happen to you too.

Myst
May 27th, 2002, 12:14 PM
Reminder - never give out your address, phone number, even your last name, or any other other identifying information. Something as obscure as your school's name and your grade, or your team name and your jersey #, can be used to track you down.

Be safe! And if you do decide to meet someone from the net, meet them somewhere publicly, meet them with friends around, and have someone at home who knows where you are and when you'll be back.

Please be careful :D

Yvonne Belisle
May 27th, 2002, 12:21 PM
My name may be listed here but I have unlisted number and it isn't in my name. I have no physical mailing address other than a po box and all my utilities and stuff are in another name. Sometimes we do wierd things for privacy :)

Rubi Waters
May 27th, 2002, 12:28 PM
nothing wierd about being safe!!!!! It's something i had to learn.. I'm way too trusting...I'm glad nothing bad has happened to me yet because of it! everyone should be careful and safe!! it was so sad that this poor girl had to look elsewhere for love and affection.

materra
May 27th, 2002, 01:11 PM
How terribly sad and tragic. As people read of this and other tragidies like them, may they remember to love and guide those more vunerable than we.

cherrywind
May 27th, 2002, 01:12 PM
That's horrible :(

For once my cynisism and slight paranoia has benefitted me by keeping me safe. I'm always been wary of people on the internet, and that's always kept me in line. Fortunately, my 14 year old sister has been taught to also be very careful of people on the internet, and she has.

Chibi-Fallon
May 27th, 2002, 03:36 PM
First off, out of all the pictures, they used the one that makes her look like she was some sort of whore. That’s gotta suck, on top of everything else.
It’s so sad. Makes you wonder what’s wrong with people.

cherrywind
May 27th, 2002, 03:47 PM
I noticed that about her picture too. I'm sure there must have been some nicer pictures of her.
Usually they always search for the best picture for victims and the worst for criminals. It's almost like they did that for her (blaming the victim in a subtle way perhaps?). I over-analyze things way too much.

Myst
May 27th, 2002, 03:51 PM
I found this part annoying

"She was really obsessed with computers," best pal Thamiris Silva said. "That's what got her into trouble . . . computers"

Pretty good since computers are inanimate objects with no brains. No. What got her in trouble was meeting someone without taking careful precautions. Could've happened whether she talked to the guy online, through mail, or at a party weeks ago..

Yvonne Belisle
May 27th, 2002, 03:57 PM
excellent point Myst it could have happened anywhere. We really need to learn caution and teach it to our kids.