MSNBC-To Catch A Predator/Perverted Justice
Very likely to be in conflict with the sentiments of many at this board but I'm starting to be uncomfortable with the tactics employed on MSNBC's To Catch A Predator TV series. I find that Perverted Justice is now receiving payment for their efforts and that alone borders on what was a once an effort to protect children now becoming a profitable online venture. Another issue to be discussed is PJ's tactic of sending decoys into clearly labelled adult areas of Yahoo chat to draw out suspected child predators.
-In no sense am I defending any person whom uses the internet to attempt to meet a child offline for purposes of criminal activity, just begining to wonder where the boundaries are to be drawn between responsible action and fanatical pursuit of said potential offenders by concerned parties.
Yahoo by policy of it's TOS (terms of service) does not offer profiles to individuals under the age of eighteen so such PJ's decoys presenting themselves as being underage have already wandered into a grey area of credibility. Darkening the shade further is such a 'child' entering a clearly posted adults-only chat section, an actuality I cannot dismiss happening concerning a genuine minor but not a likely regular occurance. From my own experience I have been so contacted by a good half dozen presumed decoys in the last month, again in stricly adult-only sections of Yahoo chat and blatant attempts to engage my person in inappropriate conversation from said decoys did take place. Once I said I had no interest in having such a conversation with an underaged party the conversation quickly ended and said decoy went fishing for another chat elsewhere.
My question is simply this, with all the other online venues such as MySpace and other popular teen sites where child predators lurk, does any responsible group have the need or the justification to act in such a vigilante fashion ?
While your opinion may be in conflict with other members here, it is YOUR opinion and therefore respected whether any of us agree or not. Freedom of Speech is a wonderful thing!! :) ........ After reading what you wrote, you are making me wonder myself. It does sound as if some people are becoming self proclaimed vigilantes and that can be come a dangerous thing. I once knew someone in a Parenting Chat room on Yahoo who did the same thing. He asked me to help him 'engage' someone in conversation but I felt very uncomfortable and said no.
While many of us can be worthwhile adversaries in the war against our children, there are those who take it too far. This actually puts more children in danger rather than saving them. So, yes, in a way I agree with you. And its very sad that people even have to go to these lengths to save children from something they should have no knowledge of in the first place!