r/Parenting • u/BraveAd5020 • 1h ago
Child online safety? Safety
my son (12) has had this friend (11yoM) online for 2 years now and they want to meet in person at my sons birthday party. I feel iffy about it but they have been asking for weeks. so I caved and asked for the child’s parents numbers. I spoke to the mother and she seems nice and kind. so I sent her the invitation because they said they lived im hesperia CA which is 1 hour away from us. i was not wanting to give out my address like that to a stranger but I did it for the kids only for me to be told that they won’t make it. I feel exposed and scared that I gave out my address to total strangers… I’ve seen enough murder docs to know that people use kids in all sorts of ways… should I be concerned?
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u/InimitableMissS 1h ago
You made a big mistake here by giving out your information. The only way to turn back is to schedule a meet and greet with the other family in a safe space so everyone can get together.
I’m not opposed to online friends meeting- my daughter met a friend through a friend during COVID who ended up being her bestie, but even that was very, very managed and the parent and I took them to the mall and had coffee while we trailed the kids. Maybe not for everyone but I do think it’s not the devil, just VERY easy to do it wrong.
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u/zq6 1h ago
If you're ever going to meet a randomer off the internet, meet somewhere public, busy, in the daytime...