Sinister Websites: Suicide, Anorexia, Peer Pressure and Bullying

Have you talked to your child about strangers online? Good! Have you reminded them to never give out any information that may help a stranger identify them? Good! Have you told them they shouldn't commit suicide because someone online was urging them to do so? No?

Most parents know that pornography exists online and they are diligent about keeping their children from viewing it. Sadly most parents aren't aware of other sites that may be far more dangerous. Troubled teens often have a hard time reaching out to their parents so they seek help from anonymous sources found online.

It used to be that parents mostly had to worry about peer pressure at school in regards to bad influences on their child's mind. This just isn't the case anymore. Though peer pressure does play role online there are far scarier messages coming from complete strangers.

It may not have crossed your mind and rightfully so. Who can even dreams such places exist? They do and they are scary places. This is what I was able to find online quiet easily. I will not be putting any links within this article because I don't want to advertise for them.

Suicide

I was almost in tears as I read the first message board I came across in relation to finding help to commit suicide. These people were not asking for help in finding a reason to live, they were asking for tips on how to do it and do it right.

Probably the most disturbing thing I found was the "help" these suicidal people were getting. Some were asking for specific amounts of drugs needed and people are answering them. This place also has suggestions for hanging, vehicle suicide and tales of failed attempts.

Sadly there were multiple sites of this nature that I could find. If I can find them so can your children. A child on the edge may not be able to ask you for help and run across these sites. What affect they have on your child is unknown and truly depends on the child.

Anorexia