I was going to think of an opening paragraph but I couldn’t so here is the list… [No I am not trying to be ‘unintentionally’ funny, I really couldn’t!]
5) Creepy stalkers
If you think creepy stalkers are only the stuff of Hollywood movies, think again. Funnily Hollywood has now romanticized the notion of being a stalker, what with Edward watching Bella as she sleeps? *SHUDDERS*
But I am not talking about Edward nor am I talking about the kind of stalkers who from time to time leak nudies of celebrities like Scarlett Johansson, which by the way we all know you immensely enjoyed! and the multibillion porn industry thanks you for your pervy pursuits!
I am talking about real life murderous stalkers like this guy who killed his EX girlfriend (which she obviously was for a reason, you psycho!) because he couldn’t tolerate her posting pictures of herself with her new boyfriend on Facebook.
Now, I am not saying that social networking sites are bad but keep your personal information to yourself and if your ex shows murderous tendencies then block him/her.
4) Scams
Although, people are aware that internet scams are abound, an alarming number of people still manage to get conned.
I, for one, never believed that anyone could fall for or for that matter even be using the ‘Oh! I sent you a cheque for more than what you asked for, now please transfer the rest through Western Union’ trick until someone tried to do it to me! Even sent me the cheque! If you think something is amiss then run a google search about the scam. Most sites like Craigslist do have a scam warning section.By the way Craigslist,between you and I, you are one of the spammiest websites I have ever seen!
3) Pedophiles
When it comes to creepy and bizzare people, internet has seen more than it’s fair share but what I still fail to comprehend is why would adults want to molest kids. Just talking about it makes me shudder and makes me want to throw up!
While Herbert the Pervert is all funny and fine and dandy, the real life pedophiles are more like this guy.
2) Internet gaming = dying babies?
Whoever would have thought that this was even remotely possible! In 2010, a couple in South Korea neglected their 3 month old daughter while they raised an e-child in a game. And the nominees for the parents of the year award are…
And the number 1 reason that makes internet a scary scary place is…
1) Children having access to the internet
Back in high school, a friend of mine introduced me to a mildly violent internet game (I can’t recall the name) and when you logged on to the site they asked you whether you were 18 years of age or above. The first time I logged in I was terrified (not because of the sh*tty effects but due to the age restriction), I even contemplated asking my mom for permission!
However, that’s not the case these days and parents, if you honestly think your little ones are online just playing Ben 10 games and listening to Polly Pocket then boy are you mistaken!
I have taught a couple of kids and their normal way of talking goes something like this…
I wish I could say this was the case with just one or two children but sadly it isn’t. Talking like that may still be ok. after all, what do I know I am just an old lady stuck in the body of a 24 year old. However, these kids are a target of all the perverts and pedophiles lurking in the dark and the not so dark corners (twitter) of the internet and though the kids may believe that cursing and swearing makes them all grown up (after all adults do it!) they really are kids!
And believe you me they can go to crazy extents to look cool amongst their peers!
Don’t believe me? Just log on to twitter or tumblr and explore the world of pre teens 🙂
So what’s on your list?
Ria In The City 
What creeps me out about the internet is the amount of personal information that’s available to any lunatic who wants it. All the stuff you list is alarming as well. Yikes!
I would like to see you write a poem about this! *do you take requests?* ;p
I fully agree with you! even if you don’t leave it on social networking sites, it is still accessible by others and that to me is just creepy!
I think the list above sums up what I am thinking! As for my children they are allowed club penguin and are heavily monitored on the internet by me. I think the most important thing to not to let your kids have full and complete access. It can be dangerous.
That’s just great parenting seriously!:)
Even though the kids may not like being controlled, I think pointing them in the positive direction is essential!
You are so right! As a worrywart this is the kind of thing that worries me a lot. However, I can’t believe I am going to say this, I think most people in the world are basically good (but not good enough that I would ever use real names on my blog – that’s one thing I really don’t like about FB). Maybe some good will come with all of this communication we are doing??? I hope so.
Personal information is called personal for a reason 😉
Thank you for writing about this kind of thing. It cheers me that someone as young as you are is as alarmed as I am. Not knowing things too early is one of the joys of childhood.
I think I tend to worry about these things because of my students! some of them are so naive and are easily misled but then again so are some adults 😦
It’s a good list – and a good reminder. I’m online so much, I get to assuming that everyone knows what to look out for, and of course, that’s not the case. Thanks for playing watchdog!
First I wanted to say whether you are trying to be unintentionally funny or not, 15 seconds into reading your blog I was at my desk cracking up. The little piece about Bella and Edward is so true, yet hilarious at the same time. It is extremely stalkerish and creepy to watch someone sleep all freaking night every night. The idiot that killed his girlfriend because of facebook…well…I can’t even think of any proper words to say about him. I mean, there is a such thing of just NOT GOING TO HER FACEBOOK PAGE.
As far as scams, someone also tried to get me with the “I’m gonna send you a big fat cheque and you send me the car you have for sale.” AS IF. I was absolutely not getting caught up with that one! It happened to me a very long time ago (before people even knew it was happening), but at the time I was smart enough to take the cheque to the bank and have them check to see if it was real or fake.
Pedophiles? Well that is a sore spot for me because I was a 3 year victim of a pedophile. All I will say about them is…it is very true when they say it’s who you least expect it to be.
I had never known about the couple that nurtured their damn e-child and neglected their own baby. What idiots. I mean idiotic, stupid, must be suffering from extreme retardation jackasses! Sorry for the language but that really pissed me off.
As far as the link to the boy that killed his girlfriend, I am at a loss for words. Who the hell would think that a free breakfast is worth any human life? What is going on that these kids think it’s ok to do stuff like this? What are their parents teaching them?!?
My list? You covered it.
I always love reading your comments! you are so awesome!
I actually took the cheque to the bank but they said I will have to bank it in first. What did they say to you?
Wow pedophiles? Sick people! Did you inform an adult about it?
I am not really sure where these kids are getting their values from but I have noticed that a lot of kids these days have issues, issues that were unheard of when I was in primary school!
I agree, the internet can definitely be a scary place.
Facebook shares so much of your personal life to many many people and any information is accessible whether you were looking for it or accidentally stumbled upon it.
I think it’s important to always monitor children on the internet and as for ourselves, to not disclose personal information on the internet, especially Facebook!
I enjoyed this SO SO much!
And it’s so true.
You forgot to mention hackers!
Hey! I am glad you did! 🙂
ah good old hackers! well they can be dealt with but I must admit they are quite a big nuisance!
I think the Internet and social networks are a great invention; I even met my fiance on Facebook 🙂 Just a pity that some people abuse it… It’s unbelievable the number of sexual perverts and scammers I had to delete and block on FB.
By the way, thanks for following my blog!
wow! really? That’s amazing! The scammers I can handle, it’s the perverts that worry me!
Your blog is such a fun read! I love to travel as well and it’s nice to find out about new places to visit. Thank you for following!
I just love the way you think! I was thinking the same! Haha 😀 Except, you forgot one more thing….. like how the above commenter commented, it’s the PERVERTS…
Those are the worst… They just… it’s beyond my comprehension to even speak of them… Just plain horrible.