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There is a new citizen-made organization in Whyville: AMOS (Against Meeting
Online Spouses).
AMOS, much like KAVD (Kids Against Virtual Dating), opposes kids meeting their
Whyville 'friends' or 'bf/gfs' in real life. Unlike KAVD, however, AMOS isn't
trying to eliminate online 'dating' in Whyville.
However stupid online 'dating' is, AMOS recognizes it as a part of the fun of
Whyville. And recognizing it as such is okay, as long as the people that participate
know and understand something: It is NEVER, EVER all right for virtual boyfriends
& girlfriends to meet in real life!
It is VERY dangerous to meet face-to-face someone who you've only known online.
And it also can be gross.
Members of AMOS believe in helping citizens understand the following:
* NEVER give out personal information to your Whyville 'friends' or 'bf/gfs',
or even 'spouses'. You never know who they really are, and you really don't
want to.
* NEVER decide to meet in real life with someone you met online. It is DANGEROUS.
Turn on the news once in a while and you will see all too many cases where a
girl meets someone she only knew online and gets kidnapped, killed, or worse.
The danger is real.
* Respect the fact that younger kids go to Whyville, and that you are probably
too young yourself to do some of the gross, disgusting things on Whyville that
some 'couples' seem to enjoy doing. That gross stuff should be run out of Whyville
every time -- tell them to go away and use the 911-report tool on them.
* If you see someone asking anyone for personal information, agreeing to meet
someone, or doing any of the other things described above, 911 report them.
It is for their own good. More importantly, it is for our good and the good
of Whyville.
As you can see, AMOS is a group that tries to make Whyville a safer place
for us to chat and learn. Remember, there are some sick people out there, and
you never know who they really are. AMOS is here to try to keep you from finding
out the hard way.
If you would like to join our club, just y-mail me... and remember, the danger
is real.
This is tiga0013, signing off.
Editor's Note: This cannot be stressed strongly enough. DO NOT EVER MEET AN ONLINE FRIEND IN REAL LIFE. There is a difference between knowing someone well over the web and knowing them well in real life. ALWAYS be careful, even if you believe you've found your soulmate or your "best friend forever". If you are absolutely convinced that it's okay to meet the person in real life, then you must talk to your parents about it. Don't hold anything back, don't keep secrets. This is not the time. Then, meet in a public place, with an adult like your parent, and do not give away personal information to whoever you meet. In the end, I think it's foolish to risk your safety over this, but some people do it anyway -- so if you're going to do it, DO IT SAFELY.
Take care of yourself! We care about you all.
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