Study shows 30 % teenagers would meet up with online strangers

TAWAU, MALAYSIA  - Seventy-one per cent of teenagers aged between 13 and 17 admitted getting messages from persons whom they did not know through online interaction, according to Sabah Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Malek Harun.

 

Referring to a study conducted by technology experts, he said 40 per cent of the respondents would usually respond to the messages; 45 per cent were asked for their personal particulars and 30 per cent would meet up with the strangers who had chatted with them.

 

He said the statistics clearly showed that teenagers were now no longer safe even while at home. 

 

Advising teenagers to be on guard while interacting online, he described cyberspace as full of traps.

 

"Readily trusting strangers and revealing personal information such as name, address, telephone number would be perilous if the former have vile intentions.

 

"Teenagers must adopt a cautious attitude and be vigilant because we cannot tell what the intentions of the other person are, and criminals can find potential preys through online chatting sites," he told reporters at the closing of the district level crime prevention/character building awareness camp involving 15 secondary schools here today.-BERNAMA

Source:  http://www.nst.com.