I'd be more inclined to say the title should be "Teenagers CAN be stupid too". Although many of the comments in this discussion were directed at clueless teenagers they can still apply to clueless adults (of which there are no lack) i.e., those who have answered Nigerian email scams etc.. On the other hand, many of these clueless adults will also have enough real-life experience to hesitate when solicited on-line or asked to click on an "unbelievable" offer.

This is because experimenting and making mistakes is also a part of growing up. In the online world, that means parents must hand down good advice to our kids and keep a reasonably watchful eye on their on-line escapades. Talking about it is a good start. Just like when we wonder and check on what they've been up to at night. The trouble is that we need to protect them and let them grow up at the same time and that isn't always easy. The internet is just a new feature that we will all have to live with and grow up with (that includes the parents).

But I don't think reading my son's email is any more justified than reading his private diary, as respect and trust are what its all about.

In sum, it does come down to real-life experience and common sense, and most youngsters will have less of that than most adults. Thats where the parents, schoolteachers and so on are supposed to step in.

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Link to this comment: http://www.securityfocus.com/comments/articles/10940/31527#31527