Dear Elijah!

Dear Daughter,

This is very important; I really need to talk to you about this Facebook and MySpace thing your doing. I don’t want you to talk or anything just listen to what mommy has to say, Elijah you’re the only daughter I have and the only one for now although your daddy is always gone. I am very worried about the Cyber-predators online looking for young teens all over the websites you go on. They have been talking about it all over the new! I am terrified to lose you. Imagine how daddy and mommy would feel if you were missing like these young girls out there? I just need you to cut you time limit in half.

You may think I’m a crazy mother and over-protective but so should every mother. I know your smart and all and you’re used to MySpace and Facebook and all your chatting things. I just need you to follow directions. Many young girls are getting kidnapped everyday and a lot because of these online things you do and including your friends. Girls like you actually don’t fake your names and real ages! That’s what Cyber-predators are getting to you. Later on when we are done talking I am going have to check your Facebook and MySpace and just everything you do online that includes having contact with people. Elijah, I understand you’re young trying to have fun and all talking to people you don’t know but understand your limits.

There are many limits Elijah, I hope you don’t put out your real name, phone number, especially our address. Anyone can show up and take you away and I may not even be home. I know your old enough to be aware but trust me Cyber-predators are smart form what I hear lately. They can have a picture of a cute boy and you may not know what or who they really are. I can talk to you with my whole profile filled with pictures of a boy, saying that is me and its not. Sooner or later, I hope sooner you will understand me and not just stare off into space telling me it’s “stupid”.

Elijah, have you heard about those girls who were missing for the longest?! Aren’t you scared too? Later while still searching for those girls they found them dead! Dead Elijah! Can you believe that? Do you want to be like one of them? I didn’t think so. Well what I am trying to say is you just need to be aware at all times who you are talking to. It’s very important. Although, this may sound stupid, you are going to be on your MySpace and whatever else you do only for 30 mins maximum, longer for homework of course.

When you are done using the computer, daddy and I will check the computer and although you want to erase the History, go for it. Daddy knows how to fix things. We just want you with us and not dead from something that been going on forever and been warned about many times. We are going to need to know the people you chat with at all times, not some new friend you met at school. If you want to chat with them, we are going to have to meet them in person. I know it seems a little cruel to you and your friends but you need to understand us. This plan will work because there is no way your going to get away with talking to strangers you do not even know. You don’t have to say anything, we are doing this because we care and love you truly.