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AOL, Kids and Chats

© Cheryl Lewis

I was recently asked to speak about kids and chat rooms. Well, I know how to get into a chat, find a chat, create a chat, etc. etc. What I didn't know were the rules and regulations that AOL applied to their chat rooms. Well, I decided to find out.

After being on hold for more than 45 minutes I finally got a live person who then transferred met to the person I needed to speak with. Eureka! I have successfullly gained the attention of a real live person, by phone, at AOL. It's been my experience that the online tech support is much more convenient. Think it's that way for a reason?

I asked the question, who is allowed in a kids chat room? Anyone. Anyone? Don't you have to be a kid? Well it turns out that they really don't have any way of knowing that.

They do have a Host, but it's my understanding that the Host is automated. That is what I was told by the AOL Customer Service Agent that I spoke with. My daughter has been in kids chats where the Host draws different pictures using different letters and keys on the keyboard. Sponge Bob, a birthday cake on her birthday, a rose, a kitty, etc. It was really neat. My kids have no idea that the Host is automated. I am not telling them either. They will be a lot less likely to misbehave or do something inappropiate if they think an adult is in that chat room with them.

The good thing about a chat is that everything is recorded. They can pull up a recorded chat from a week ago as easily you pull up your email. That's one of the best things about a chat. Yes, they also build up typing speed, but it's more important for them to be recorded.

The very most important thing about kids and chats that any parent needs to know is that at any given point and time, a predator may be lurking in a chat looking for their next victim.

They find someone who for whatever reason they are able to befriend. They slowly work on alienating that child from their family. Once they have sucessfully done that the next move is to physically seperate them from the family. Whether it's for one hour or forever, the ultimate goal is to seperate the child from the watchful eyes of the parent so they can fulfill whatever it is their twisted mind wants fulfilled. Scary as heck, isn't it?

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