Teen Chat Rooms

From LoveToKnow Dating

Teen chat rooms are online communities where users can "chat" by typing messages to others who have signed on. Teens use them to discuss interests, to connect with other kids, and often to flirt. Unfortunately, users aren't always who they say they are. Here are some suggestions for teens and parents on how to navigate the chat rooms.

Fake Teen Chat Rooms

The Internet can be a dangerous place for teens. There are adults

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Hey parents, don’t be afraid to take control of your teen’s online time. The Internet has the potential to be an educational, but dangerous, place to hang out. As protectors of our children, it is our job to stay on task even when it comes to computer time. Design an online contract with your teen to clearly lay out expectations and appropriate behavior. Then, follow up with a close watch over their shoulders.

who think they can take advantage of teen girls or boys for sex, or who like to look at pictures of children and teenagers in sexual positions. These adults may pretend to be teens and hang out in teen chat rooms. There are also many sites that try to trick teens into buying things they can't afford, or giving out personal information.

Finding a Safe Chat Room

Whether you're a teen looking for a place to chat or a parent who wants to know what your child is doing online, you'll want to make sure the chat room is a safe place. Unfortunately, there's no way to be sure that everyone signed in is who they say they are.

If you're a teen, check out the chat web site carefully before you sign in to a chat room. Make sure the site really is a place for teenagers, and that you're comfortable with its values. If they ask for personal information like your address and phone number, think twice before you sign up. If you're not sure about the site, check with an adult.

Suggestions for Parents

If you're a parent, here are some questions to ask:

What is the tone of the site? Is the emphasis on sex or on selling products? Does it sound like a place you'd want your child to be?
Who sponsors the site? Is it a company you've heard of? What are their goals? Religion- and education-oriented sites may try harder to make their chat rooms safe.
Does the site have any safety features? Requiring users to give their birthdates doesn't ensure that only teens will be online, but it's better than having no requirements at all.
Does the site have video or posted photographs? Teens are often tempted to push sexual boundaries, and a camera can be a strong incentive. Also, even innocent pictures can be a draw for sexual predators.
Are the chats moderated? Some sites claim to have monitors even though they don't. Others have an adult watching the conversation at all times.
What goes on in the teen chat rooms? Sit with your child the first few times he/she participates in a chat. What do people talk about? Is the language all right with you? Is there evidence that a monitor is present?

Parents may want to monitor younger teens whenever they participate in a chat. Even with older teens, it's a good idea to have the computer in a shared room of your home, where you can glance over your child's shoulder from time to time. Unannounced checks will help you keep track of what your teen is really chatting about.

From Chat Room to Real Life

Teens who've flirted or made friends in chat rooms may want to meet an online buddy or romantic interest in person. It's possible for such a meeting to lead to a true friendship or even love. Unfortunately, it's also possible for a meeting to be dangerous. The news is full of stories of teens who were lured to meet an online "friend" who was actually a sexual predator.

If you're a teen, never give out personal information online. Even your last name and the name of your school could tell a predator where to find you. Your phone number can be linked to your address, and vice versa. And never, never give financial information like a credit card number or your social security number. Someone could use it to steal from you.

When it comes to meeting in person, the best advice is "don't." It saves disappointment and will help keep you out of danger. If you do decide to meet someone in person, you need to tell your parents. They can help protect you, especially if your friend isn't the person you thought.