Tech Tuesday: Danger Danger!

A sixteen year old girl slumps onto the bed, staring at her screen. Tears run down her cheeks. All that work and now this person–no name to identify him with–was calling her ugly names and saying she was an awful person and an awful writer. “Mom, this person just said I’m an awful person,” she said walking into the kitchen and sitting down at the table.

The girl’s mother turns from where she is washing dishes. “What?” She comes over to the table. The shock is evident in her voice.

The girl points to the screen, tears still on her cheeks. “Look!”

Her mother grabs the tablet. “There’s no name! Darling, this isn’t a review, this is abuse. It’s called sockpuppeting.”

The girl looks up, confused. “Sockpuppeting? What’s that?”

the mother sighs. “Sockpuppet is an online identity used for purposes of deception. But I’m afraid there’s no way to report it.”

The girl slumps against the chair. “I hate the internet!”

“I know, honey. it’s one of the negative things about the internet. Just be careful, okay? The internet can be fun but it can be dangerous too.”

“I know,” the girl mumbles and looks up at her mother. “My friend Kerri was talking to this guy online from another state and the guy turned out to be a creep.”

Her mother’s eyes widen. “What happened? Did she meet him?”

“Yeah. He lied about his age and picture and everything! She screamed and ran away!” The girl shakes her head. “It could’ve been a lot worse…”

That, ladies and gentleman, is the second post on the negative impact of the internet! Stay tuned for Entertainment Friday!

RA Odum