Parents as Internet Police

I find that the story of “A Girl’s Life Online,” by Katie Tarbox is both very timely and informative. Teenagers can be very naive, so when writer Katherine Tarbox recounted her story about when she was thirteen years old and going to meet a boy face to face who she first met online, she found out that she was dating a forty-one year old man instead of a twenty-three old boy. As a parent of two teenage girls, I find her story to be an eye opener, and it certainly gives credibility to a quote by Swedish psychologist, Christer Olsson, “Parents, keep track on your children at the computer. Internet can be as life itself. It can be dangerous” (Dangers on the Internet). Teenagers have virtual access to the world in the palm of their hands. They are young and vulnerable. Parents ought to be concerned.

The dangers of the internet should not be de-emphasized as both the media and parents are on the forefront of their condemnation. Writer Tarbox’s story is not an isolated one. Alicia Kowalkiewicz was a thirteen year old who ran away from home to meet a thirty-eight year old man from Virginia. “He held her captive in a dungeon he had created in his basement, he raped her, he abused her, he beat her, he tortured her, and he kept her chained with a locking dog collar around her neck. Alicia was lucky to survive after her abductor told a friend who later contacted the FBI. The FBI was able to storm the house and rescued her. Most abducted kids are killed within three hours of their captivity” (The Times).

As a parent, I am not obsessed with the internet, iphones, ipods or texting. However, such technology is part of the young people’s culture today, and my teenage girls who are in college and high school are finding its use necessary. However necessary its use may be, Tarbox in her book, wants parents to be aware of their children’s online activities. Most teenagers are computer savvy and know more than their parents, but nevertheless, parents must have an idea of what their children are doing online. The book is a realistic account of a young and naive thirteen year old girl who was manipulated by a vile and wicked imposter via the internet. Many horror stories of this nature have taken place. Thus, this book is a timely reminder for parents to take the role of an internet police.

“Victims, Villains, and Vixens,” does examine frames employed by the news media when reporting on internet crimes committed against girls. As per its examination, the news media report mostly how dangerous the internet is for young girls. While the internet can be a dangerous medium where predators take advantage of teenage girls, it can also be an excellent resource for research and academics. Girls are not at risk every time they log on to a computer as the news media implies. In fact, some girls post indecent materials on the internet and this can cause some sections of society to stereotype all girls.

I think that shows like “To catch a Predator,” is a useful and fair critique. It is educational. However, some producers of the news media do capitalize on these types of stories to make money. It would not be unfair to say that they prey on the fears of the people.