[Vautrin]

That is a sad story, Star. I only started IMing regularly a couple of months ago, and before that, it was very occasional. I am 25 years old, mind you.

But I often wonder, why people, knowing that there are all kinds of sicko's in chatrooms, still frequent these places. Is it naivite? Do these kids believe that what is typed must be true? Or do they think, that they are mature already, and are in total control of the situation?

It is like a game of chess on the internet. You can play someone of your level, and you can play a grandmaster, but you won't know. You can even play a machine, i.e. someone who cheats. You will only know afterwards. Or when you have a reasonable grasp on how a cheater operates. Kids of 14 or 15 don't know the difference.

The most important thing is to teach kids not to meet strangers over the internet, or in real life. Internet creates a sense of familiarity which is oftentimes very deceptive.