@Moonchilde@SeaMaiden. After my recent rant against the Internet and its evils, I do want to give time to the good side, if you'll permit me! I took a bad fall at work 4 years ago and was badly injured. I was bedridden for 4 months and was house bound for nearly 21/2 years more. During that time I discovered Ancestry! It kept me sane while having to remain motionless. The net also allowed me to do my own Christmas shopping and to research my condition for myself. During that time I realized how helpful the Internet could be for children who are confined to beds or wheel chairs. I know it has allowed for medicine to advance leap years faster than it would have, and there are countless other benefits it has to offer. So, like most things in life, I think those who use the Internet need to do it responsibly. By that I mean we all need to be aware of what we should and should not do while using it. Early on, my dh, now a retired COP, opened a message telling him EBay was updating his account. It looked legit, I will admit, but he gave over all his person info! Granted, that was very early on when scams were not a well known problem ( but yes, he should have known better!) and it looked very official, but we were very lucky we had no real problems because of it. It would be my suggestion that everyone take an Internet safety course. Along with all the benefits police can pass info between departments as fast as we can speak (or they can type) but laws are broken as easily and quickly. Like the problem I mention my ds encountered, children are being victimized more now, possibly due to the great audience the net provides to perverts who like this illegal for of "entertainment". Hard core porn films are easier to make and distribute because the net offers anonymity to the creators and a difficult trail to prosecute. I get physically sick when I think how many children's lives have been completely ruined because they were forced to do these things. Women, men as well as teens who are desperate to make money, or who have run away from home, get involved with these unscrupulous people. Gambling! It has become easier to get someone addicted to gambling because now, one doesn't even have to get dressed to lose every thing they own!
Yes, I know all of these ills have always been there. I also know the Internet gives as good as it gets. Criminals are easier to track, now, in some cases. I am also fairly certain that, if one were really able to do it, we would find far more good has been created than harm by the Internet. But, I wonder if that's all not relative. If you are one of those who's lives have been destroyed by the Internet, I wonder if there is any statistic that makes you feel better? My ds was lucky. He was only injured as a byproduct of illegal activity. But, as a loving (albeit naive) mother, watching my ds live with the torment of what he saw, nearly broke me, as well. Yet, I'm sure if he were ever seriously ill and his doctor were able to save him by use of the Internet (my doc uses it constantly while I'm with him to show me info, etc.) I'm sure I'd be singing a different tune. So, in the end, it all boils down to moderation! Like the saying, everything's ok, IN moderation!
Never underestimate the power of kindness.
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