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Watch Dr. Kanner discuss this topic live this Monday, February 22nd @ 8:20am on San Diego 6 News In The Morning.
Background:
I thought I had heard of just about anything, but this one actually
redefined the notion of sick people. Meet "Michael" from Alexandria,
Louisiana, better known as "S For Sickness" (fitting, huh), which is
his Xbox Live tag. Your Family Matters has previously focused on the
dangers of social media predators, evident on sites such as MySpace and
Facebook, where I have cautioned parents about the needs for
supervision on computer activities for children. Such voiced concerns
have involved bullying, sexual overtures, and general
inappropriateness, but, in this case, "Michael's" tactic is to lure
children into playing on his team on an Xbox Live game promising to
upgrade items on the game for the exchange of personal information such
as age, e-mail addresses, and passwords. The intent here seems to be
stealing information to hack into computer systems and potentially
steal assets using the vulnerability of a child. As these games are
very competitive and can be fun, the idea of getting to higher levels,
having better tools, and making friends, can be exciting and hard
sometimes for certain children to remember what their parents have
taught them about "stranger danger" whether this be live or in the
cyber world. In this case, the sound of "Michael's" voice and words
sound like an adult, not a child
In this case, "S for Sickness" makes, what appears to be a team
promise, or seduction, but watch what happens when a kid refuses to
give the information that he requests. " I will blow up your Xbox 360...... hack into your computer....... make your mommy and daddy buy you a new one.........you b----a--".
This goes beyond a predator, this is no less than a Monster. In this
particular case, the game was supervised by parents and fortunately for
us, "Michael", left his message on the kid's Xbox hard drive and the
tape along with his tag information and whereabouts are now in the
hands of law and fire enforcement , Microsoft, and his voice and tape
are in numerous newsrooms around the country. We here at San Diego 6
will be following up on this case and hope that "S for Sickness" will
be arrested and prosecuted to send a clear message to cyber criminals
that as a society we will not tolerate threats towards our children.
But, what can parents do to better protect their children from such horrible people, who are now on Live games?
1. Supervise all computer activities. The Internet is
state of the art and our children will be exposed to increasing trends
that many adults do not understand. But, supervision is something that
even the most computer naive parent can do and if something goes
sideways, we are there to help. I always suggest keeping computers and
game systems in open areas in the house where parents can walk by and
check in.
2. Educate yourself about Social Media domains and Live gaming systems.
It's time we all visit a Game Stop and see what kids are up to these
days. Not that you will let your child necessarily play on these
systems, but at least, you know what they are and all about. If your
kids do have them, get ready to learn about Live game systems and how
they work. The more you know, the better prepared you will be. By the
way, child sites such as Club Penguin have better safeguards than the
Live gaming systems which have no live supervision.
3. Educate children about bad people. Most parents do
this already but now we are having to extend those talks to include
people that our children may not be able to see in person and only know
through a headset or text message. The use of words, without speech,
can be equally threatening and scary to a child or adolescent.
Michael's victim was very afraid that he had some way to cause his Xbox
to either explode or catch on fire as was the threat. So, teach your
kids how to identify inappropriate words as well as actions.
4. Report Cyber Bullies or Internet Predators to the Police.
Microsoft explained to me that on most live game systems, one can
report both illegal and bully behavior. But, this is not enough. Once
a report is made, Microsoft will then follow that person and if they
continue to not "play fair", they may revoke their membership. But,
Microsoft is NOT law enforcement and will only release information on a
customer with a court order. In addition, if the communication is
"live" and not recorded, then even following them will not get to their
true intentions. Therefore, take down as much information that you can
on the person, save any correspondence, and call both your local Police
and the Police in the city that the bully or predator is from.
4. Comfort your kid. Cyber bullies and predators are
scary people to kids, especially if they are adults. When you as the
parent then takes charge and help them feel safe, the trauma gradually
wears and your child will recover from the trauma. But, people
like "Michael" , or better know as, "S for Sickness", forces us as
adults and parents to have a "Duty To Call" these sociopaths on their
sickness.
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Follow Dr. Kanner both on our website here at San Diego6.com and at www.kanner.tv
Your Family Matters "Hot
Topics" for 2010: Viewer Requested Topics: January/February
"Divorce Attorney Nightmares": Sponsored and endorsed by
consumer protection-oriented attorneys and advocates, Your Family Matters will explore
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"Raising
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More "Hot Topics" to follow for the months of March through December 2010.
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Dr. Keith Kanner/ Morning Show HostYour Family Matters
San Diego 6 News In The Morning
San Diego Living Show
2008 Winner: IMedia Parenting Award for Television - Disney, Inc.
2009 Winner: Man Of The Year In Medicine & Healthcare - ABA
Host/Extra Life Changers - EXTRA TV
Anchor/Host: Dr Kanner & Kompany - WSRadio-San Diego
XETV l Bay City Television, Inc.
8253 Ronson Road, San Diego, CA 92111
(619) 261-2346
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About drkanner
Dr. Kanner is a Licensed Clinical Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychologist and Psychoanalyst with a full time private practice in Rancho Santa Fe, California. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine at U.C. San Diego and a Clinical Instructor and Supervisor at the San Diego Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. Recently, he has become the Director of Clinical Counseling for La Jolla Country Day School and has been named to the National Board of Directors for KidsKorps, USA. He continues as a Consultant for many public and private schools in San Diego and has also received distinguished teaching awards over the past seven years. He is a published author and a sought after speaker on topics pertaining to childhood, adolescence, and parenthood. He is also presently writing a book for Fox based on his show, Your Family Matters.
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