Online Personalities

Some time ago, a friend created a storm when she told us she would be meeting her 'online pal'. We thought she was just kidding, after all, she was already married with five children. Why would she bother to have an online pal? I found out later that it was a 'he'!

We were all eager to hear her side of the story that night. It would be interesting. Sure enough, she came home, emotionally hurt. She told us he was a short, blad man of sixty. Not only that he even admitted that he had two wives and five children! He was jobless and looking for a job. He even asked my friend if she would employ her!
We did not really know how to react to her story. But, one thing for sure, he is now a direct marketer under my friend, who happens to be a successful direct marketer herself.

Maybe things are not so bad. There are many personalities out there who may have flatter others with their appearances but, never mean to harm. After all, the online community is supposed to be perfect. One can never run out of imagination!

Things are always different whenever a teenager or a child online. A teenager or a child may be unable to discern between flatters or complimnents and truth. He or she is very happy whenever an online 'uncle' or 'aunt' praises them. Secrets? A teenager does not know when to shut up!

Sad to say, there are not many parents who are aware who their teenagers or pre-teens chat with online. Some online pals even dare to call to their home, sometimes chat for hours, heaping these group of people who are thirst of attention with flattery compliments.

Now in Asia, children who are from well to do family can go online at cybercafes. These establishments are found everywhere, away from the prying eyes of suspicious parents. They can be anyone they want!

Let me just tell you my experience. I once chatted with an online personal. I immediately knew it was a 'she', although she pretended to be a 'he'. I knew from the way she type and her poor grammar, that she was a teenager..... at least only 15 years old. I rebuked her after she asked explicitly about sex. That was the only time she chatted with me!

So, parents, if you are reading this..... be alerted that not everyone is like me. I do not like to chat with teenagers because I take them like my very own pupils, whose minds are innocent and immatured. Take your children seriously and always be prepared to face problems with them.