[tina salinas]

My daughter is only 11 yrs old and she's talking to guys online. These guys age vary from 16-25. What should I do?

[J_9]

If the computer is not already, it should be in a common room where you can look over her shoulder and see what is going on. If this still continues you need to be the parent and take the computer away.

[pooja s27]

Tina,

I agree by suggestion to keep the computer in common room so that you can have a look of what she does but again this can lead to both good and bad( bad because she may start finding other ways going to her friends place to chat and other alternatives) so speak up to your daughter that she needs to concentrate on her studies and
As a mother make her understand that you would always wish to see her good and that you are advising for her good. Don't try to be strict but try to deal it smartly and with love

[Jake2008]

She is 11 years old and talking to guys, including 25 year olds? Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? You are allowing her to 'chat' to MEN and that has to stop.

Take away the computer! Make it very clear that you will be putting parental controls on the machine which will not allow her to use any chat function, or inappropriate website that alows her to communicate with men. When you have put the appropriate controls on the computer, and restrictted her use, allow her to use it- supervised- only for homework.

If it were me, I would also be reporting the men that have been contacting her. Surely you are aware of online predators that target children, and what the possible outcome could be from allowing her to continue.

You are the parent. Put a stop to it.

[s_cianci]

I agree with Jake. Take the computer away. Then tell her upfront the dangers of her chatting on line with men in the 16-25 age range. After all, any man that age who chats with 11-year-old girls who are strangers is nothing short of a pervert, plain and simple! Your daughter may feel flattered by the attention but assure her that that's not the kind of attention she wants.

[Gemini54]

I agree with all the other posters but would also suggest that the other thing you can do is buy (or download) an internet parental block program where you can control the sites your daughter accesses.

Set in place some boundaries - she's far too young to be chatting to guys on-line and perhaps she needs another hobby or some physical interests such as sport or dancing.

The best thing, of course, is to talk to her. Explain why you're concerned, and explain that as her mother you have a 'duty of care' to protect her welfare against on-line predators. She has no way of knowing who the predators are, and probably neither do you so it's better to be safe than sorry!

[justcurious55]

Had to spread the rep gemini, but a new hobby is a great idea. She should be interacting face to face with her peers, not chatting online with older boys and men.

Tina- you need to make sure she understands the dangers. Right now you can use parental controls to restrict her access to sites and protect her. But she needs to understand why so that later, when you can't be there to watch over her shoulder she still knows how to be safe online. Children aren't the only targets online, they're just the most vulnerable.