Facebook Woes

There are many many things I hate about facebook. It opens up your life to the world, despite the many privacy settings you choose. It can create a sense of dissatisfaction with your life as you spend mindless hours comparing yourself to someone you went to high school with 35 years ago. The list could go on and on.

Today I found out yet another reason why I hate facebook.

She was 17 years old and just wanting to have fun on a friday night. A facebook friend named john sent her a message. Let’s hang out, he said. She barely knew him. Her parents certainly didn’t know him. He was older than her, and would turn out to be slyer than her.

But they were friends on facebook after all. How bad could he be?

He picked her up and drove her deeper and deeper into the city. He stopped at a house. They got out. She hung out on the couch while he left her there to run to the store. Three other guys showed up from somewhere in the house. They got closer and closer to her. Next thing she knew, she was living out her worst nightmare, all innocence gone.

John would later show back up and act horrified. He would drive her home, then disappear into the night. Her mom would be the one to try to pick up the pieces.

If you’re a mom reading this blog, you listen to me as I remind you that just because it’s on facebook doesn’t make it safe. If you’re a mom and you’re reading this, I’m not trying to scare you, but to remind you to stick to your gut and fight every little battle for freedom that your teenager is waging.

If you’re on facebook – and the odds are that you are – remember to keep your guard up.  Not everyone who claims to be your friend is. If you don’t remember him, then you likely never knew him. Watch what you say. Don’t advertise every movement of your day. I’m sure you’ve already heard of folks who monitor when you are going out of town on vacation to raid your home. Some folks aren’t satisfied with just your home. They want you. When they flatter you, don’t believe them. When they seem to know more about you than they should, you better watch out.

I know I sound creepy and paranoid.

But I’m the one staring at her this morning, and you’re not.

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