Comments on: Should I let my kids lie on the Internet?

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:50:13 +0000

My daughter hasn’t done a whole lot of signing up for things yet, but she has been told to give certain specified information. I don’t mind if she gives out my “junk” PO Box or my “junk” cell phone, but never our real address or phone number. If a stranger on the street asked my 10 year old what her phone number or address was I wouldn’t call it lying if she refused to tell him or told him a wrong number. I’d call that smart.

We teach our kids to protect themselves in person, why not on the Internet?

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 04:08:06 +0000

How old are these kids, and what sites are being lied to?

Many US sites aren’t intended to be used by those under 13, thanks to COPPA (http://www.coppa.org/).

By: Aso

Aso — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:35:48 +0000

> Instead of having them lie they need to
>teach them the importance of protecting
>privacy and identity while maintaining
>integrity.

This is a little silly – how on Earth do you propose to accomplish it?!

By: Anony

Anony — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:34:56 +0000

I don’t have kids yet, but I will definitely “force” them to lie on the Internet. Much safer that way!

By: Redacted from redacted.com

Redacted from redacted.com — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:49:32 +0000

Isn’t really a lie in my book.

By: Andy Willingham

Andy Willingham — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:06:20 +0000

Pete, That is a great observation. Whether they realize it or not by encouraging this they are teaching their kids and encouraging them to lie. It may protect their privacy and identity (which is very important) but it also undermines integrity (which is more important). Instead of having them lie they need to teach them the importance of protecting privacy and identity while maintaining integrity. It may take some work but the results will be worth it.