To Catch a Predator: Right or Wrong?

College Confidential Community
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<p>I'm sure a lot of you have heard about these investigative pieces on Dateline. Do you guys agree with what To Catch a Predator is doing? </p>

<p>I'm ambivalent. I think these guys are creepy and sick for even considering having sex with a thirteen year old girl or boy. They deserve whatever punishment they receive. </p>

<p>However...</p>

<p>I don't, for one second, think TCaP catches pedophiles or even 'sexual predators' in most instances. All they really catch are opportunists.</p>

<p>When I hear predator, I'm thinking of the guy who loiters around the playground or the middle school at 3:00. Not some horny dude sitting around in Yahoo! Chat talking dirty to some chick.</p>

<p>I'd also think that a predator would show up to the house with a gun or a knife or something; I'd think they would show up with the intent to do harm to the child. But most of the time these guys bring condoms, lube, and a six-pack of Corona. They're there to party, not to hurt anybody... even though a situation like that can easily get out of hand.</p>

<p>A real predator probably wouldn't put themselves in that vulnerable of a position, would he? I mean, he's going to a girl's house in a neighborhood he doesn't know. If preying on children is about power, that's a mighty big shift in power if you ask me; expecting to have sex with some pre-teen girl in her house when her parents could come home at any time. </p>

<p>Also, and I know this doesn't sound like the strongest argument, but in 2007...how many thirteen year olds do you know whom you honestly think would invite some pasty, tubby guy in his late 20s, 30s, or even 40s over to their house for sex? I think Dateline is setting up a fallacious precedent because I think with as ubiquitous as the Internet is these days, shoot, thirteen year olds are savvier than they ever have been. I just don't think Dateline should be scaring parents into thinking their thirteen year old is going to naively invite some strange guy over to the house and not realize the situation she's puttnig herself in. I know kids can be stupid, people can be stupid, but that sounds like a ridiculous mis-calculation of what actually happens when teens get abducted.</p>

<p>Your thoughts? I really hope this thread turns into a thought-provoking discussion.</p>

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<p>there are alot of kinky kids out there who look for sex on the internet, but are misled by people pretending to be younger.
I doubt that kids don't do that.
But at the very least it spreads awareness about the issue, if not helps in eradicating it.
While show does haev alot of horney freaks out there who are looking for a good time, alot of them still are regular peadophiles who molest children on a regualar basis. One of them was a Rabi for crying out loud! There's no excuse for that.</p>

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<p>I do believe there are significant entrapment issues.</p>

<p>However, it's probably done significantly more good than harm.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
But at the very least it spreads awareness about the issue

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Which could make the hardcore, true-to-the-bone sex predators all the more sneaky...right?</p>

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<p>but this show does seem to attract alot of idiots. I mean, to catch the same guy twice in two days - and oncw with his pants down.</p>

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<p>they could become sneaky but some of them are amatures and will always get caught.</p>

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<p>"I'd also think that a predator would show up to the house with a gun or a knife or something; I'd think they would show up with the intent to do harm to the child. But most of the time these guys bring condoms, lube, and a six-pack of Corona. They're there to party, not to hurt anybody... even though a situation like that can easily get out of hand."</p>

<p>I question your logic here. Because a weapon is not involved no harm no foul? It is one thing for teens having relations with teens, but grown men with children isn't normal behavor. Besides all harm isn't necessarily visable. </p>

<p>I don't watch much network tv, especially shows like this one. I don't consider it entertainment or news.</p>

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<p>Not no harm, no foul. I'm just saying -- myself, most parents who watch, and people in general tend to think of something along those lines when they hear the term "predator" with or without "sex" in front of it. Not "horny dude who chatted with a pre-teen about sex online."</p>

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<p>Not only would I blame the "predator" but I would punish the "pre-teen" as well for engaging in such a manner like consistently chatting with a purvert. If someone is acting like an ass and communicating in a filthy manner...damn't sign off or ignore!!</p>

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<p>I agree with you on that, kunfuzed.</p>

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<p>A friend of mine did a paper on that. She said at least some of the blame should be put on the pre-teen/teen.</p>

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<p>a lot of those 13 year olds are probably pretending to be older too.</p>

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<p>"predator"</p>

<p>Think of the mental side of things as well, not just the physical aspect. That was my point.</p>

<p>It isn't just about a horny guy chatting someone up. They're showing up, that's where it gets a bit difficult to say they were goofing around on the internet. These guys know these kids are underage. They know the law. They still ingage and still come over in person. Think of your dad, would you want him going over to meet some 13 year old? ewww in so many ways.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
I'd think they would show up with the intent to do harm to the child. But most of the time these guys bring condoms, lube, and a six-pack of Corona. They're there to party, not to hurt anybody...

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Say, what??? You don't think having sex with a 13-yo is hurting her/him???</p>

<p>
[quote]
how many thirteen year olds do you know whom you honestly think would invite some pasty, tubby guy in his late 20s, 30s, or even 40s over to their house for sex? I think Dateline is setting up a fallacious precedent because I think with as ubiquitous as the Internet is these days, shoot, thirteen year olds are savvier than they ever have been.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>As someone who made a huge error in judgment when I was not 13 but 18, involving a pasty, tubby guy 10 years older but who had incredibly persuasive charm, I will attest to the irrational stupidity that teens are capable of.</p>

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<p>how about....this show is absolutely hilarious. not in its content, but in the reactions of the people who get caught. i actually have .... no pity for the people who get caught on this show.
sneaky? yes. entrapment? quite possibly.
the federal government has been doing this forever.</p>

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<p>Yeah catch those predators and fry em</p>

<p>What does a 13 year old girl who only months ago was playing with barbies and crying to mommy have in common with a 40 year old suit with a wife and kids?</p>

<p>Yeah, disgusting. I'm 19 and won't even associate/hang out with 16 year olds, much less have sex with them. I can't fathom how these 40, 50, 60 year olds want to hook up with young teens.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Say, what??? You don't think having sex with a 13-yo is hurting her/him???

[/quote]
</p>

<p>As cold as it sounds, no. If a thirteen year old thinks it's a good idea to hook up with strange men off the Internet, my money is on them already being a little screwed up anyway. It's not the sex with the older man that's going to forever mess them up, it's their parents or whatever happened in their past.</p>

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<p>^Yeah but they should be getting help, not continually being used as objects for perverts gratification.</p>

<p>And if they're beyond help, they still shouldnt be objects. Give them some humanity.</p>