Teen KILLS dad after blocking MySpace

March 6th, 2008

15-year-old teenager Hughstan Schlicker decided to kill his father after his father blocked access to MySpace.

Schlicker said he often spent entire days on MySpace and couldn’t cope when his father cut off his access to the site.

“It felt like I was stabbed with a knife and it went straight through and … no matter how hard I pulled, I couldn’t pull out the knife,” Schlicker said, according to an interview transcript in the police report.

As with any disturbing case, one can only guess as to what exactly was going through this kid’s head.  Was he simply a crazed MySpace addict, or was there more below the surface?  In the article he says he hated his father.  Perhaps there was some form of domestic abuse, and using MySpace was his way of disconnecting himself away from his home life, and when that was shut off, he simply snapped.  Who knows.  Our thoughts are with the Schlicker family during this very difficult time.

Here is the article and video of the teenage killer.

Parents monitor MySpace page and bust daughter’s drinking party

March 4th, 2008

This is from the “lesson learned” file.

Parents who were monitoring their daughter’s MySpace page found out that she was hosting a drinking party while they were out of town.  The parents called the police and 29 underage drinking citations were filed.

(source article)

Kids escape parents’ watchful eye through Facebook and Bebo

February 20th, 2008

Some interesting info on parents and monitoring social networking sites:

While a high percentage of Irish parents say they monitor what their children do on the web, only 46% admitted they really understood what social networking was, despite the fact that 70% of children and young adults under the age of 18 use sites such as Bebo and Facebook regularly.

The research shows that while many parents believe they are monitoring their children’s online activity, less than half are familiar with social networking sites.

This shows a fairly large gap between what the parents know, and what their kids are actually using.

(source article)

Mother Finds Naked Photos of Daughter on MySpace

February 20th, 2008

Talk about an embarrassment.  A 13-year-old girl’s mother was included in a mass emailing that linked to photos of her daughter posing nude on MySpace.

Apparently, the young girl’s ex-boyfriend sent the picture to a friend and this friend “punished her” after a falling out.

(source article)

Communication Helps to Avoid Online Sex Crimes

August 18th, 2007

CBS4.com has an excellent article on tips to help prevent online sex crimes from happening.

They talk to Nancy McBride, the national safety director for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

In addition to ‘just be a good parent’, they give a few other tips as well:

-Use online filters and software to keep your kids away from certain websites.

-Check your child’s web page every once in a while to make sure there’s nothing personal or provocative on it.

-And always check out the people who have access to your children whether online or in their day to day lives.

MySpace Rape Arrest

August 17th, 2007

Sean Lennon of Ravena New York was arrested and charged with rape of a 14 year old girl.

Investigators said that the girl went willinging after the predator went through the grooming process to break down her initial resistance.

State Police Investigator Joe Donohue suggested that parents monitor the MySpace activity by moving the computer from their bedroom to a public spot where they can be watched.

A quick search turns up two profiles that fit the description. Disclaimer: The linked profiles may or may not be the scumbag mentioned in the article.

(source article)

Violent Threats on MySpace Lead to Teen Arrests

August 16th, 2007

Austin Dunlap and Zach Adair from Maitland Florida were arrested yesterday for threatening two students via MySpace.

The two kids, who attended Orangewood Christian School, threatened beatings, murder, and the rape of one of the victims’ sisters.

Hopefully they’ll be given more than a Juvenile detention center slap on the wrist, but I doubt it…

(source article)

Stupid Criminals: Brice Chase Edition

August 15th, 2007

In what may become a series on this blog, today the feature is on 19-year-old Brice Chase of New Hampshire.

Already on probation for a robbery in 2006, Brice thought it might be a good idea to show off his weapon collection on his MySpace profile (a handgun and two swords).  His profile also featured his illegal drug preferences.  A tipster notified the authorities and his probation officer (Officer Charles Wolfort) decided to pay him a little visit.

Upon arrival, they found the weapons and evidence of drug use.  Tada!  Parole violation!

A quick MySpace search turns up one profile that fits the description.  Disclaimer:  This may or may not be the Brice Chase featured in the article (but probably is).

(source article)

Bebo Overtakes MySpace in the UK

August 15th, 2007

According to ComScore, the social networking site Bebo has overtaken MySpace as the most popular social networking website in the UK.

Bebo overtakes MySpace in the UK

Could this be a sign of things to come in the USA as well?

Man Lures 16-year-old Girl to Prostitution via MySpace

August 12th, 2007

Melvin Charles Parker Jr., 32, of Richmond, Virginia.

Melvin lured a 16-year-old girl from her home and threatened to hurt her family if she did not prostitute herself. After being charged with pandering, unlawful sex by fraud or fear, soliciting for a prostitute, and sale or transportation of marijuana, he is being held for a mere $30,000 bail.

Bail? This is not the kind of guy that should be out roaming free until his trial date.

Here is the source article.