Flying across country to take your teen to meet an online friend?

[burritos]

So level three is third base right?

I'd stick with the synchronous telemedicine modifier

I think any contact would start to become a level 4 visit.

We actually already took him during winter break. She was a real person. Probably 2-3 levels better looking than my son, at least with the mask. Didn't meet the parents. Dropped him off to hang out with his friend at a nearby Tim Hornton's and left them alone for 4-5 hours on 2 separate occasions. He said he really enjoyed physically hanging out with her. So now we're contemplating going for Spring break, though it doesn't coincide with her spring break. Not a cheap trip just so my son can have some face to face with his "friend", but certainly nothing that is fiscally burdensome. And I remember the dopamine tsunami that hit my brain when I started having meaningful convo's with the fairer gender. But in reality, where is this going to go?

Had some good food in Toronto. I can see why people say Niagra Falls is better looking on the Canada side.

[Hank]

Somehow is seems like Chris Hansen should be part of this.

[CordMcNally]

I think any contact would start to become a level 4 visit.

We actually already took him during winter break. She was a real person. Probably 2-3 levels better looking than my son, at least with the mask. Didn't meet the parents. Dropped him off to hang out with his friend at a nearby Tim Hornton's and left them alone for 4-5 hours on 2 separate occasions. He said he really enjoyed physically hanging out with her. So now we're contemplating going for Spring break, though it doesn't coincide with her spring break. Not a cheap trip just so my son can have some face to face with his "friend", but certainly nothing that is fiscally burdensome. And I remember the dopamine tsunami that hit my brain when I started having meaningful convo's with the fairer gender. But in reality, where is this going to go?

Had some good food in Toronto. I can see why people say Niagra Falls is better looking on the Canada side.

Wait, so they’ve already met? That’s a bit different than the scenario your original post implies.

[burritos]

Wait, so they’ve already met? That’s a bit different than the scenario your original post implies.

Right. Sorry for the misdirection. I was going to post this before the first trip. But I suspect the responses may have derailed my initial instinct which was to greenlight the trip(actually wife greenlighted it). Still I wanted to see the initial response. Apologies for the subterfuge.

[G]

I thought the drama involved with local playdates was a PITA.

[VentAlarm]

My kids are far too young for me to have an informed opinion, but my knee jerk reaction is a hard pass.

[TXDoc21]

My knee jerk reaction was, “it’s a no from me Dawg”. But as I read through the posts it seems like they’ve already met. So I guess have a good time on the cross country trip.

It really does seem like a story that could have easily ended with Chris Hansen popping out of the hallway asking what the booze and condoms are for. Glad it all worked out though.

[Kamban]

Is Canada really a different country. I mean yes it is. But really?

I meant during this pandemic I am leery of traveling out if I will have issues coming back in on time because of a false positive Covid test. But if you want to take your 15 year old because he wants to meet his online 14 year old, your call.

[wideopenspaces]

How did they meet in the first place? I don't let my 13 yo chat with strangers online. Plus where does this go? There aren't girls in your city? I really don't understand any of this.

[burritos]

How did they meet in the first place? I don't let my 13 yo chat with strangers online. Plus where does this go? There aren't girls in your city? I really don't understand any of this.

Online discord gaming channel.

For better or worse, our lazy parenting habits have allowed them to have free rein online, though they are not on line not in their rooms, but in our family room where we screen together.

Good question on where this goes. No where? Could it be an transient social developmental experience?

Of course there are girls in his school, I tell him to engage with them. He doesn't obey. So now what? Unlike most 15 y/o boys who have it together, he's awkward face to face. So would shuttling him somewhere far and away allow him to develop some social skills that might no happen de novo at home? Or is this just rationalizing on my part?

I don't understand it either. Should I just facilitate and go along with the ride? Should I parent(whatever that means and I have still yet to sign up for the online course)?

[AR]

Online discord gaming channel.

For better or worse, our lazy parenting habits have allowed them to have free rein online, though they are not on line not in their rooms, but in our family room where we screen together.

Good question on where this goes. No where? Could it be an transient social developmental experience?

Of course there are girls in his school, I tell him to engage with them. He doesn't obey. So now what? Unlike most 15 y/o boys who have it together, he's awkward face to face. So would shuttling him somewhere far and away allow him to develop some social skills that might no happen de novo at home? Or is this just rationalizing on my part?

I don't understand it either. Should I just facilitate and go along with the ride? Should I parent(whatever that means and I have still yet to sign up for the online course)?

Is a 15 year old who is awkward around girls really a problem? I think your heart is in the right place, but I think you are worrying about this too much.

[Shant]

With the appropriate safety controls sure why not. I've been to multiple weddings from one particular group I met online about 20 years ago, the relationships are real.

[F0017S0]

No kids (or wife/girlfriend), but doesn't seem like it is a good idea...

[Anne]

If you want a family trip to Toronto and they get to hang out as a small part of it, sure why not. But sounds like you already did that not too long ago. Probably time for her to pester her parents to take a family trip to where you are if she wants to see your son that much. And if she doesn’t, well that’s your answer too.

[uksho]

Bringing online friendship to real life is scary , especially after watching Tinder Swindler recently!