I become completely apoplectic yesterday when I stumbled upon a public Facebook page (in Google) with the phone numbers of 70 teens in my town. I won’t tell you what I was searching for, because I don’t want this page to get any additional attention, but the story goes like this.
One teen puts up a Facebook and says something to the effect of “Gee .. I lost my cell phone. What’s your number?” (No, that’s not what they really said in this particular case.) And 70 teens (I knew 4 of them) posted their phone numbers on the public wall of this Facebook group.
Then I went into Facebook, and found dozens of these groups from across the country. Lots of kids doing this. Now, here’s the really weird part. Why couldn’t these kids just post this on their own private wall? Where Google (we hope!!!) isn’t allowed?
Is it just me? Or would be upset to know that your teen posted their cell phone alongside their Facebook profile picture for all the world to see?
My 22-year old son, by the way, says I’m over-reacting. “It’s no big deal. If anyone starts getting creepy phone calls, they’ll just change their number.” Hmmm…… how many teens do you know that would easily change their cell phone number and lose their lifeline to their friends?
Okay, so help me out here. Am I right? Are you outraged? How come these tech savvy teens don’t know they shouldn’t be posting their cell phone numbers on the Internet? What do you think?
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You’re right as rain … as a grandmother, mother, aunt and person who avoided a predator at age 10 decades ago I can’t agree more heartily. I saw those cell phone number requests on FB months ago from my nephews – I ignored them but had similar thoughts to yours regarding safety and privacy.
Lee
It is not safe at all, stupid crazy two legged animals are out there trying to get little kid any way they can. I know 2 kids that have cell phones, there 11-9. MOMS and DADS PLEASE WATCH WHAT YOUR KID ARE DOING ON THE COMPUTER. Cell phones and computers are the worse things that has came out.
Hie Barbra.
Lt is not good for teens to publish the information on the net.
It is very dangerous for children to hve their number posted for all to see. I know of an 11 year old girl in my community who had a 30 year old man talking to her on the phone, the result fortunately for her is that her mom found out and put and end to it.The child had to have counselling but it could have been worse. Have these people not watched Oprah and the horror of internet dangers?????? Parents and teachers should get with the times and educate their children
hi Barbra dear i could’nt understand what actually was the issue but onething i can say for certain–techology has its uses and abuses.My cell phone has been much abused and was a source of nuisance for me so also the landline phone.It has its advantages ofourse.Wish you best of luck.
No you are def not over reacting. Things can happen to children they don’t even understand.. Young adults… even Old adults…. I was swindled and had my id stolen and a lot more happened and I was 40 yrs old and thought I was safe… Un savory people are everywhere just looking for an oportunity… Be ware truly Be Ware
yes I think you are right , youn children should not give their personl information, becouse this may cauise trouble.
What seems innocent can end up being a serious mistake. Staying safe online is something I teach at an elementary school but something that needs to be closely monitored at home.
Hey, they’re still kids. That’s why I’m on Facebook with my children. The same thing almost happened here, and my daughter initiated. As soon as I saw her post asking friends to write their cell#s, I immediately had her post a message telling everyone that this was not safe, and she had to delete the numbers that had already been posted.
I certainly agree with you, Barbara. I have had enough conversations with my kids about safeguarding their private information.
I don’t know if I want to spell out how this info of a group if friends’s names and their phone numbers can be misused, simply by putting a few of those names together, creating a story and then making a directed phone call…
If I saw a friend’s note that he/she lost their phone & phone numbers, I’d send them a private email or call them, nothing else.
That’s me.
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