Can't find any way to check out and ID child's new "friend".

[Replies: 1]
Our 13 yr. old girl was introduced to another girl's online friend whom they met through the online game RuenScape.
He sent a picture of himself, a 15 yr. old boy and he has severe diabetes.
They emailed for quite awhile then went to chat and now talk regularly on the phone as well as texting.

Two things are bothering me. I was right next to her one evening when she called him and I could hear his voice. I was shocked to hear this deep bass voice like a middle aged man. Now I know some guys get very mature voices at puberty but it still bothered me.

The second thing is she used my phone several times to text him and I was deleting texts when I ran across two of their texts. There was nothing inappropriate but all the "sweety, honey, wish you were here/I was there, oxoxoxo" puppy-love language, bugged me after hearing his deep masculine voice.

I have his name, I have his phone number.
How do I check this guy out? If he really is the minor in the picture how do I "legally" and privately confirm that? You can't exactly do a background check on a minor with no background. It might even be illegal to try.
On the other hand I have to know if this Kid Is a Kid or not.

If he is who he says he is I don't want to get "everyone" mad at me. Can I check him out without anyone knowing?
Thanks for any suggestions...
Last Post May 29, 2009 6:38 AM by: Anne
Anne
Posts: 505
Registered: 6/26/06
(2 of 2)

Re: Can't find any way to check out and ID child's new "friend".

May 29, 2009 6:38 AM
delia, that definitely sounds like inappropriate behavior on the "friend's" part. I wouldn't hesitate to get the advice of the good people at the CyberTipline. They have a lot of experience with situations like this. Either click on that link or call 1-800-THE-LOST toll-free. Meanwhile, it's really important that you make sure your daughter doesn't make any plans to meet this person anywhere. It sounds like he has gained her trust, which means her defenses are down - see "How to recognize grooming" in this site (you could show this to your daughter, see how she reacts, and ask her if she thinks it's possible that this person's being a little too nice). If she's not responding to your concern and determined to maintain a "relationship" with this person, that's good reason for concern.

If you think she has made or might make plans to meet him, you might want to call your local police department. I'd stay very close to the situation, which I'm sure you're doing. Sincerely,
Anne
--
Anne Collier
ConnectSafely co-director

della
Posts: 1
Registered: 5/28/09
(1 of 2)

Can't find any way to check out and ID child's new "friend".

May 28, 2009 10:30 PM
Our 13 yr. old girl was introduced to another girl's online friend whom they met through the online game RuenScape.
He sent a picture of himself, a 15 yr. old boy and he has severe diabetes.
They emailed for quite awhile then went to chat and now talk regularly on the phone as well as texting.

Two things are bothering me. I was right next to her one evening when she called him and I could hear his voice. I was shocked to hear this deep bass voice like a middle aged man. Now I know some guys get very mature voices at puberty but it still bothered me.

The second thing is she used my phone several times to text him and I was deleting texts when I ran across two of their texts. There was nothing inappropriate but all the "sweety, honey, wish you were here/I was there, oxoxoxo" puppy-love language, bugged me after hearing his deep masculine voice.

I have his name, I have his phone number.
How do I check this guy out? If he really is the minor in the picture how do I "legally" and privately confirm that? You can't exactly do a background check on a minor with no background. It might even be illegal to try.
On the other hand I have to know if this Kid Is a Kid or not.

If he is who he says he is I don't want to get "everyone" mad at me. Can I check him out without anyone knowing?
Thanks for any suggestions...