MySpace Walks Again
The Megan Meiers case has been given a lot of attention lately because of the bizarre situation surrounding it. Well, this case, which I was unaware of, is just as divesting, but more straightforward. I am just finding out about this because the parents are suing the man responsible of their daughters death, in a civil suit – since, as we know, no criminal charges can be pressed if you are responsible for someone you met and taunted online killing themselves.
In this case, a 14-year-old California girl met 30-year-old Kiley Ryan Bowers of Celina Texas in 2005. He traveled across state lines, “sexually assaulted her,” and then broke it off. When he did that, the girl fell into a deep depression. She killed herself in July 2006. Her suicide note suggested that her relationship with Mr. Bowers was partially to blame for her suicide.
The family is suing for compensation of medical and counseling bills and punitive damages for mental anguish. But of course, MySpace will walk.
You can read the full story here: Victim’s parents sue MySpace after suicide, assault by Celina man
The problem here is that MySpace was the playing grounds where this young girl fell in love with this older disgusting scumbag. He traveled half the country to meet her and have sex with her. Though the suit says she was “sexually assaulted,” I’m pretty sure it was consensual (otherwise why would she be depressed when he broke it off… enough to killer herself? C’mon.)
And now, MySpace will get away because it can’t be expected to verify ages and check each member. That may be so, but this is not an isolated case. It constantly happens. When will they be held accountable for the disgusting breeding ground they have created?
Never.
So… what then? Well, parents, protect your own kids. Don’t expect anyone else to. If parents monitor their child’s Internet activity and talk to their kids, this won’t happen as often. Monitoring software like PC Pandora helps parents keep their kids safe.
December 16th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Well its sad but then our laws are far too incompetent to match up to growth of technology.The only way cybercrimes can be combated are through proper
guidance and internet control
February 9th, 2008 at 4:01 am
Teens today are able to bypass blocks, passcodes and security software far beyond a parent’s ability. Most parents don’t want to believe that their teens are miles ahead of them in their knowledge of computers and technology. They have a false sense of security after purchasing a security software package when their teen can work around any obstacle presented. All the children at a local high school knew how to bypass the district blocks and non of the administrators or teachers knew until told. Kids today have spent thousands of hours of free time learning all about computers, while their parents have been earning a living, running a household and providing for the children. They have blasted well past their parents in knowledge and ability. Never in the history of the US have parents been at such a disadvantage. This is the first decade in American where the majority of teens would be able to make their parents feel like absolute fools if they really knew the truth. The majority of parents are far below their teens with regard to computer knowledge - That gives a teen the power to swim in the very dangerous sea of online predators and pornography while mom and dad take false comfort in their child’s safety. It’s time to wake up America . . .Call your local Congressman and complain that in 12 years, nearly ALL of the bills introduced to protect our children on the Internet have FAILED !!! It’s time to speak up and out at the assault upon our precious children. It is simple to research the legislative history, or lack of . . .Online. IT PATHETIC !! All in the name of free speech . . .Failure after failure !! The children that are not ruined emotionally and sexually by an Internet Predator, have probably fallen into the sleazy pit of pornography. Statistics indicate 4 out of 5 children between the ages of 8-16 have viewed porn on the Internet. The sick and twisted images presented today, make the trash magazine of the 80’s look like art. Our boys may experience serious sex addictions or ruined relationships in adulthood due to the the online sewage that spews constantly. The last 12 years the Internet has continued to grow each day . . Bit by bit, site by site, until we have reached this intolerable level of assault on our children and teens. Those that spout that parents of victims are absent, unloving, uncaring, etc. are massively ignorant !! The most diligent parents that only allow brief time online when they are sitting right next to their teen, have had disgusting porn sites pop up. Then suddenly you are in the position to answer the question, “Mom, what is this?” from a 10 year old looking at a disgusting and twisted sex act. The benefits of online games, pro-child sites, banking-paying bills, book report research, communication with friends/family etc., distracts from the very serious dangers of pedophiles, predators and porn. May God Bless America and help us make the necessary changes to protect our children in the future far better than they are today.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Not sure what god has to do with it, but your post is excellent. Why not post this on a newer post?
Kids COMPLETELY have the upper hand - which is why parents need to do research. The crappy blocks and filters that come pre-installed and/or as an afterthought on security software are ridiculously low-effort. But software like our PC Pandora is made SPECIFICALLY with tech-savvy kids and not-so-tech-savvy adults in mind!
