Identity Theft Warnings

Dating 101: The 7 Biggest Misuses of Texting

For those of you who use text messaging as a form of communication with someone you're dating, whether you have a BlackBerry or an Apple iPhone, text messaging is the most abused and misinterpreted form of communication out there.

...5. Keep the Texting to a Minimum. Once you've texted back and forth a few times, and unless one of you is in a Turkish prison being tortured by a not-so-friendly cell mate, you need to pick up the phone and have a real conversation. You will not discover whether you share a true connection with someone by conversing with them via text message. Also, as two adults, you need to have an actual voice-to-voice conversation. So go ahead and exchange a few texts, but then get yourself on the phone!

Mo. woman charged with cyberbullying on Craigslist

A Missouri woman has been charged with cyberbullying for allegedly posting photos and personal information of a teenage girl on the "Casual Encounters" section of Craigslist after an Internet argument.

Prosecutors said 40-year-old Elizabeth A. Thrasher posted the 17-year-old's picture, e-mail address and cell phone number on the Web site in a posting that suggested the girl was seeking a sexual encounter.

St. Charles County Lt. Craig McGuire said Tuesday that the victim is the daughter of Thrasher's ex-husband's girlfriend. The girl, who has not been named, received lewd messages and photographs from men she didn't know and contacted police.

Thrasher, of St. Peters, is the first person charged with felony cyberbullying under a law passed in Missouri after the suicide of 13-year-old Megan Meier, who was the victim of an Internet hoax that drew international attention.

Old-school board game gets top marks from teachers, parents

After playing the game with her family, Hamblett was convinced Tri-Cross would encourage high level thinking skills and problem solving. And unlike computer games, it would also encourage more one-on-one interaction.

“I think it’s a wonderful way for kids to develop skills we no longer employ as much,” Hamblett said. “The game really is a fun way to encourage kids to strategize and to ponder possibilities, and that’s really the goal of the gifted program.”

Internet Addiction Recovery Program

Treatment for internet, gaming, texting, and video game abuse