Ask.fm….. A warning to all parents

blokecalledkev

If you have teenage children you should be made aware and warned about a site called Ask.fm.

This site is tied into Facebook and twitter. This site allows children as young as 13 to post anonymous questions and comments to each other. It is as been linked to several cases of teen suicides due to online bullying. Due to the anonymity of other members it is open to abuse, grooming and stalkers.

We had never even heard of it until we were altered to this site by a concerned neighbour who had seen our 13 year daughter’s account via her facebook account. Some of the questions she had been asked were vile.

Do not let your children register an account with this site. If they already have accounts with this site, make them close it down.

Kevin.

loracan1

Or alternatively, keep an eye on any social network accounts your children have and check on what's being posted - my son's got this. I take a look now and again (he's 16) I find it amusing.

Robin_TBW

Or teach your kids to be funny sarcastic !!!!ers and give some awesome replies to make the asker of the question feel like a fool.

battleborn

I am afraid these are the times we live in now, kids are very savvy about online stuff, dont stop them just warn them of the risks.

pmduk

Far better to teach your children to ignore any comments/questions that make them feel uncomfortable. It's a skill that will serve then throughout their life.

SnowBelle_2

Whilst this is a valid point as Internet bullying can be horrific, I would also be concerned that a neighbour was snooping on a 13 year olds account.

blokecalledkev

loracan1 wrote: »

Or alternatively, keep an eye on any social network accounts your children have and check on what's being posted - my son's got this. I take a look now and again (he's 16) I find it amusing.

Fair point, we actually do try to do this. This site slipped us by. I sorry but I am going have to disagree with you. I see no humour in this type of site. I don't feel it is appropriate to quote any of the comments/questions I found offensive so I won't.

I always felt we were quite responsible parents and I believe part of that responsibility is to protect your children form vile offensive comments. This we did. In doing so we also explained the dangers that sites like this could posse.

Teaching life’s skills are always high on a parents list of priorities and this too is not something we ignore and take lightly. I see no life skills can be taught to any thirteen old girl by standing idly by and allowing her to be subject to vile comments. You are correct though these comments can and should be ignored. This is easily done, shut the account down.

Nor do we have an issue with our neighbour. Not only is she classed as an extremely close friend (she is my eldest child’s god mother) she is an extremely pleasant person. The account in question was actually brought to her attention by her own daughter who is 16. She was not snooping on a 13 year child.

I have expressed my opinion that vile sites like this are dangerous to children and stand by that opinion. I also stand by my decision, as the parent of a 13 girl, that I did the correct thing to have it shut down. Clearly other members have differing opinions and everybody is entitled to have and express them.

I also, felt I was doing the right thing by highlighting this site, simply to forewarn any other parents, who like us, were unaware of its existence. If you feel I was wrong to do so, you are entitled to your opinion. On which we will have to agree to disagree.

Kevin

MamaMoo_2

It might be worth noting that the site is not vile, just that certain users are.
I have a friend who uses ask.fm (I think) as she has a cake making business, and often does Q&As on baking techniques etc.
My little brother has one too, and there are some great questions on there, and lots of really stupid questions too. Nothing offensive. ("if you could choose between being a tiny elephant or a giant mouse, which would you be and why?" "Tell me your best joke" "which animal would look funnies if you shaved it?")

The quality of the questions is based purely upon the quality of the person asking them. Perhaps ask your daughter why she associates with such vile people.

blokecalledkev

I stand corrected; it is not a vile site. There are just some vile users there.

I will ask my daughter why she associates with such vile people. Thank you for the suggestion.

Kevin.

MamaMoo_2

blokecalledkev wrote: »

I stand corrected; it is not a vile site. There are just some vile users there.

I will ask my daughter why she associates with such vile people. Thank you for the suggestion.

Kevin.

Just bear in mind that what you see on that site, questions etc, probably represents what happens in real life. If there are lots of bullying type questions, it's possible your daughter may be being bullied through other mediums too, and so approach with caution.

Also, what are her responses like to the disgusting questions? If they're a bit too, erm, 'grown up', it may be worth sitting her down and having 'the talk' if you haven't already.

It may also be worth contacting the other children's parents and making them aware of what their little darlings are up to so that they can take similar action.

securityguy

blokecalledkev wrote: »

I did the correct thing to have it shut down.

If I had a fiver for every parent I know who told about how they'd stopped their children from using some social networking site, when my own children report that the children in question have been using the social networking site in question for years, I'd have twenty quid. At least.