WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING

Well, this weekend started off fairly good until Whit ran to me, in a panic. Breathlessly, she explained to me that a member of an online game site was pestering her for her name and age. She told us that the online character first appeared as a game member who was lost in the woods. He kept saying, "Help! Would someone please help me find my way out of the woods?" Being kindhearted, Whitley started chatting with the person on how to get out of the woods, but the minute she did, his demeanor changed. She said he revealed that he was 27 from the UK and he wanted to know her name age. Next thing we knew, 26 viruses/add-ware/spyware/porn and the like started embedding itself into my harddrive and CRASH it went!!! I'm not sure who was ready to faint first, me or Whit. I had 2 weeks worth of homework on this computer and then some. I maintained composure and we applauded her for her internet safety and for coming to get us. However, we were sad to see that someone had preyed on a child's good intentions to help a person in distress. Luckily, this was a computer scenario and not someone on the road on her way home from school or in the mall. She had a true life lesson in discernement and understanding what it means to be a a "wolf in sheep's clothing". Computers and hard drives are replaceable, but are kids are not. Just one more reason to keep reinforcing internet safety and safety in general with our kids!