> Anyway, I was talking to somebody yesterday, and they asked me how tall I was. Now, I have NO CLUE how tall I am, since I don't particulary care. So I went in and asked my mom. She told me, and then my dad asked me why I wanted to know. I told him because I was talking to someone. Know what he did? Told me that if I talked to ANYBODY EVER AGAIN over the 'net, he would take my computer!
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> WHY? Because he thinks you're all wierdos who want to hunt me down with an axe and bury it in my skull! Quote: "He might live right around the corner and see you walking down the street." Now, I'd like to know why telling someone that I'm 6' is going to help them single me out. I NEVER go outside anyway! Besides, I KNOW where he lives, and it's nowhere near me. My brother has his REAL NAME in his ICQ profile, and my dad WATCHES OVER HIS SHOULDER while he's chatting with people! He also gave our phone number to a guy who he's never met IRL. And my dad doesn't CARE! He can give away phone numbers, addresses, names, everything, but if I tell someone how TALL I am, I lose my computer.

Your dad's behaviour is inconsistent if this is true. What you need to ask him is 1) whether he realises he lets your brother do this but not you, and 2) if so, what his reasons are for that. If you're 13 and your brother is 28, there's your answer. If you're the same age but your dad thinks you are (no offense) less mature than your brother about judging what information to give to whom, that's his call as your guardian.

Either way, your dad will be more likely to accept you talking to friends online if he knows who they are and what you talk about. (This has been discussed before on the forum in previous threads so I won't go into all that.)

Whether or not your dad is being realistic, he's doing it because he thinks it's necessary for your protection. Maybe you could have an agreement with him about what information you're allowed to give people, and keep to that level of privacy online in return for being allowed to chat.

Brunnen-"the scary internet psycho"G