Cyberbullying Concerns Cause Family To Avoid Home Internet

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Kristin Kumpf is an Aberdeen teen-ager whose parents will not let her have access to the internet because of cyberbullying fears.

Kristin Kumpf is an Aberdeen teen-ager whose parents will not let her have access to the internet because of cyberbullying fears.

By Dawn Crawley

A Missouri mom is in court on charges that she was involved in a MySpace hoax luring a 13-year -ld girl. The girl ended up committing suicide.

It's the nation's first cyberbullying trial causing many parents to pay close attention to what their kids are doing on the internet. Some parents in Aberdeen have a strict policy when it comes to the internet.

There are plenty of social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook that kids today want to be a part of. Two parents in Aberdeen say both are a no-go in their household.

"It's been an issue for a long time for our family. We have talked about whether having the internet or not."

Julie Kumpf and her husband decided their kids cannot have access to the internet at their house after seeing so many cases of cyberbullying in the news.

"What I've seen I'm not really impressed with. What's talked about, pictures on the internet, stuff like that."

So Kristin, who will head to middle school next year, plays games and types on the computer but cannot get on sites like Facebook and MySpace.
Kristin is not thrilled about this, her friends are on these sites, and she wants a cell phone.

"I really, really want a cell phone because a lot of my friends have them."

Julie says that's not an option but Kristin feel pressure from her friends.

"They think that my parents are lame and they should let me have one because they are cool and fun to text on."

But Julie says her priority is safety not popularity.

"Kids are curious people no matter who raises them. They are all curious and they want to know stuff. It's only a click away anymore and that makes me nervous."

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Thursday, Jul 9 at 4:30 PM No Internet wrote ...

I attended Aberdeen Central this last year and graduated. We didn't have internet in my household. Yes, it would have been more convenient, but it didn't hinder me in any way. That is why schools provide internet...there is also the good-old-fashion library! :-)

Thursday, Jul 9 at 8:50 AM edlv wrote ...

Taking away the Internet is clearly not the answer. How will she ever learn how to be responsible online if she never has it? These parents are only going to make her rebel. Plus, just wait till she's in high school and they find out her homework requires Internet research almost every night.

Wednesday, Jul 8 at 8:49 PM SD mom wrote ...

I am a teacher at a small town high school, and 90% of kids' problems are because their parents want to be their kid's friends...

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