[artyom]

I'm kind of with you on this one. 12yo is old enough to understand the rules (assuming they were clearly set) and if he/she was willingly communicating with a stranger, that phone should get the hammer with no replacement whatsoever. I've seen this done, it works.

[GaryBluto]

> that phone should get the hammer with no replacement whatsoever.

Trying to scare children into following rules does not and will not end well.

> I've seen this done, it works.

You think it works because the child has realized that they will need to be better at hiding their actions in the future.

[petermcneeley]

user: GaryBluto created: 3 months ago

[ceayo]

What I believe the author did was instead of teaching their child that they may not talk to strangers, they believed there just is a magic button to have these strangers not exist.

[artyom]

If that's the case, then rules weren't clearly stated, if stated, at all.

[polotics]

Kids make mistakes. You do not want predators to use the threat of your punishment as a lever on your kid.

[artyom]

You can't control or decide what predators will do. And very likely won't be able to imagine the extent of every single of their convoluted predatory practices by yourself.

So instead of trying to cover every possible theoretical danger, setting clear rules and boundaries with your kid sounds like a way more sensible and pragmatic approach.

And nobody said kids should be punished or held fully accountable on their first mistake.

[petermcneeley]

If you apply this concept broadly you will see this isnt a great philosophy.