Starrkeisha "Imma Independent" & My Analysis of Types Of Comments On Starrkeisha Discussion Threads

Edited by Azizi Powell

My initial plan was to share my analysis of the characteristics and content of selected comments that were posted by pre-teen children (ages 7-12 years) on several discussion threads of Starrkeisha videos. "Starrkeisha" is Black comedic female character who was conceptualized and is performed by vocalist and female impersonator Cameron J.

However, as I prepared to write that post I found out that
1. It was sometimes difficult to determine whether commenters were children or not.
and
2. Some of the characteristics that I believe were characteristics of children's comments were also characteristics of teens' and adults' comments.

As a result of these conclusions, I have amended my initial plan and decided to present this post about certain characteristics of comments that I noticed in discussion threads of several Starrkeisha videos. I hasten to say that I've noticed these same characteristics-to the same extent or a greater or lesser extent-in many other YouTube discussion threads for African American Hip-Hop/R&B music.

This post is Part III of a four part series on Starrkeisha videos. This post showcases the Starrkeisha video "Imma Independent" and provides my analysis of some of the characteristics of comments that are written in eight Starrkeisha videos' discussion threads.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/child-support-rap-battle-starrkeisha-vs.html for Part I of that series. Information about Cameron J, the developer of the Starrkeisha character and the actor who performs that character, is found in that post along with links to the other posts in this series.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/facebooking-youtube-video-comment.html for Part IV of this series. Part IV focuses on what I call "Facebooking YouTube Comment Threads: Kids Commenting On Starrkeisha Videos' Discussion Threads." Examples of those "Facebook type" comments from Starrkeisha discussion threads are featured in that post.

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The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Cameron J for conceptualizing and performing the Starrkeisha character. Thanks to all others who are associated with these videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of the video that is showcased in this post.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Starrkeisha - I'mma Independent (@TheKingOfWeird)



RandomStructureTV Published on Feb 6, 2013

Don't forget to click the thumbs up! Leave Starr a comment! Share on FB, Twitter, etc.
http://www.Twitter.com/TheKingOfWeird

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DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VIDEO SOURCES OF THESE SELECTED COMMENTS
These comments are gleaned from eight Starrkeisha videos which were published in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016. These Starkeisha video discussion threads are the only ones that I've read in their entirety or almost in their entirety.

These examples document how many comments in these discussion threads are written. Post IV provides examples of what many comments in those same discussion threads are about (their subject matter).

This analysis doesn't purport to cover every category of comment that is found in those videos' discussion threads. That said, I believe that the types of comments that are included in this post are representative to a greater or lesser degree of the types of comments in other Starrkeisha videos. And I think that this is particularly the case regarding the discussion threads for the Starrkeisha videos before 2016 when it appears that their producer/writer, actor Cameron J focused on the ongoing saga of the relationship between Starrkeisha and "baby daddy" Cameron J.

The title, publisher's name, and publishing date of each Starrkeisha video which served as the source for comments that are featured in this post are given in chronological order based on that publishing date, with the earliest dated video given first. Those videos are cited as Source 1, Source 2, and so forth. Comments include the commenter's name and date (usually the year) the comment was published.

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LIST OF THE STARKEISHA VIDEOS WHOSE DISCUSSION THREADS ARE FEATURED IN THIS POST
Source #1 (S1) I Need My Child Support Money! - StarrKeisha/Cameron J., RandomStructureTV, Jan 15, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l--wmtJ7Vj8
"The newest edition to RSTV is not only ghetto, but quite trashy and uneducated. I wanted to create a character that can bring some ghetto fabulous flavor to my channel, StarrKeisha definitely does that! Lol!"
-snip-
This first video in the Starrkeisha series introduces the characters "Starrkeisha" and (baby daddy) Cameron J.

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Source #2 (S2) Starrkeisha Fights!, RandomStructureTV Uploaded on Mar 12, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl2TvW2aTq4
"Cameron J's sister Tori calls and confronts Starrkeisha about the lies she has been spreading. Starrkeisha recently called and accused Cameron J. of being her "baby's daddy." Tori knows this is a lie and is ready to fight to make Starrkeisha shut her mouth. Starrkeisha calls on her sisters ZoRonda' and Mercedes to fight Tori and her friend Tavia. - GHETTO STYLE!"
-snip-
Starkeisha and sisters lose the fight badly. After Tori and Tavi leave, Starrkeisha and sisters brag about how they won the fight. Starkeisha and her sisters are performed by three different female impersonators while Tori and Tavi are performed by two young Black women.
**
Source #3 (S3): Child Support Rap Battle - Starrkeisha VS Cameron J, RandomStructureTV, Uploaded on Nov 9, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFoZ0H4Cr7I
Starrkeisha tries to get child support from Cameron J for the child she alleges is his. Cameron J denies that the child is his.
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Source #4 (S4): Starrkeisha's Car Trouble - @TheKingOfWeird, RandomStructureTV, Published on Aug 14, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1erpl_XAcIo
-snip-
"Drama" occurs when Starrkeisha and her sisters have car trouble.

**
Source #5 (S5): Pregnant Again - Starrkeisha & Cameron J (@TheKingOfWeird), RandomStructureTV
Published on Dec 3, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnqZyIbWEw0
"Starrkeisha is pregnant... AGAIN!"
-snip-
Starrkeisha calls Cameron J and tells him he is her baby daddy- again.

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Souce #6 (S6): Starrkeisha - I'mma Independent (@TheKingOfWeird), RandomStructureTV, Published on Feb 6, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gee-_HTsUnI
Starkeisha sings and dances to a song about how she is independent (i.e. She doesn't need any financial support from anyone else. Of course, her actions regarding her "baby daddy" Cameron J contradicts these statements.
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Source #7 (S7) The Starrkeisha Choir - Formation! @TheKingOfWeird #BeyHive, RandomStructureTV Published on Feb 16, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFEf5lfaeJk
Starrkeisha and multiple copies of Starrkeisha sing a mashup of a Pop and a Gospel song.

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Source #8 (S8) PETTY SONG - The Starrkeisha Cheer Squad! - @TheKingOfWeird, Randome Guye Published on Apr 3, 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMU5C-fEXA8
Starkeisha and multiple copies of Starrkeisha perform a cheer and dance to a mashup of current hit R&B and Pop songs.

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HOW THESE SELECTED COMMENTS ARE WRITTEN
Here are some ways that comments are written in various Starrkeisha discussion threads. This list isn't meant to be comprehensive. For example, it doesn't include comments that are written in standard English (comments that include standard [mainstream] American spelling, punctuation, and capitalization) as well as comments that include words that are elongated by adding vowels (such as "I loooove this").

These "categories" are given in no particular order. Notice that many of these comments could be placed in more than one category that is given below.

I've given numbers to these comments for referencing purposes only.

WARNING: As is the case with a number of YouTube video discussion threads, the Starrkeisha video discussion threads that I have read contain profanity, the n word, and sexually explicit language. None of those examples are found below.

Documentation Of Selected Comment Examples:
examples of little or no capitalization or punctuation or inconsistent use of capitalization or punctuation
1. Suzzanne Freeman, June 2016 (S3)
"yall two are so so funny I'm about to choke laughing and for you starkeisha leave the man alone he right your wig rached and your jacket is to small I watch yall videos all the time."

**
edgar worthen, April 2016 (S4)
2. "I love your videos make some more that is awesome my name is Elaine what's your name and Grete I love your videos and makemore videos⑤♥♥O:-) missing I am 10"

**
3. Jamiya's Life, May 2016 (S5)
"she don't need your mony she can have my mony starrkeisha why are you acting like a girl with your blue wig and a blue coat"

**
4. Queen Savannah, June 2016, (S8)
"its a challenge n everybody have to do it its all over Instagram (two emoticons)i did it but its to embarrassing to post (comment followed by three smiley emoticons)"

**
examples of African American Vernacular English (grammar- "be")
6. Tori Alexander, June 1016 (S5)
"girl he be tripin all mans do get a dna girl he know he want u he lien he love u honey dont cry he better make it rain"

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7. Joyce Mackey2 years ago (S6)
"I Be Tryna Figure Out, How He Get Into Those Jackets" (followed by a smile pictorial)

**
8. alexus rodriguez, 2013 (S6)
"u need to mqake more video wit starrkeisha cause she be killen it i aint gonna lie u killet it"

**
9. missbri356, June 1016 (S7)
"He be killing it lol had to hit thst like and subscribe button 👌🏽😉"

**
10. Destiny Patterson, June 2016 (S2)
"this is really how girls be acting when they get beat they won.....(followed by 11 smiley face emoticon)

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examples of African American Vernacular English (vocabulary)
11. Rich Kidd, 2013 (S1)
"I can't believe this is the first S to the T A double R K E to the I to the S H A video.... OMG.. Cameron keep it up.. Thanks for all of your videos. They SERIOUSLY crack me up.."

**
12. Erykah Tomlinson, 2012 (S2)
Oh Lawwwddd !!!!

**
13. K_slayz_4_dayz2 months ago (S2)
"YOU WON? YOU WON?! Man the only thing you threw was shade"

**
14. Princess Kenya, June 2016 (S4)
"Don't talk smack to nobody that's going to help you!!"

**
15. Trinitee Bryant, April 2016 (S3)
"He told her off with the quickness man like boyyyyyy. Cameron is cute though"

**
16. Cameron Saddler, 2015 (S6)
"Star don't believe those haters and if you want say haters gonna hate and my name is Cameron saddler and money is on your mind :-) :-) :-) :-)!!!"

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17. Kae J, 2013 (S6)
I'm finna be singing that song and making it famous

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18. Kimmy Jones, June 2016 (S7)
"Now this is fire😂😂🔥🔥🔥"

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Reply
19. Joimyka Ward, June 2016 (S7)
"i feel u it is they can sing."

**
20. Mimi 1026, June 2016 (S7)
"oh lawd I died"

**
21. Adriane Russ, June 2016, (S8)
"I love the beat that thing go hard"

**
22. Ariyah Roundtree, June 2016 (S8)
"they killt it 💯💯💯💯💯💯"

**
23. Amyah Hoover, June 2016 (S8)
"They slayed that 24/7" (comment followed by four smiley face emoticons)

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examples of comments with emoticons or other pictorial representations and/or emoticons/pictorial representations being the entire comment
24. Keaisha Franklin, May 2016 (S2)
"You did not win you got BEAT starr👅👅👅😃😃😄😄😀😀😊😊☺😉😜😝😣😁"

**
25. Krys'dionna Brantley, December 2015 (S4)
"🏢🏫🏠🏣🏤🏥🏦🏧🏨🏩🏬🚌🚙🚘🚗🚼🚼🚹🚺🚻⏳⌛"

**
26. Lanay Wheeler, June 2016 (S5)
"💜💜💜💙💙💙💙💚💚💚💛💛💛"

**
27. Sia Tanuvasa, June 2016 (S7)
"This just gives me so much happiness lol🔥🔥🔥"

**
28. Debra Woods, June 2016 (S7)
"mic💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨💏🖕👎🤘💔💣🎓🐅🦃🦂🌿🍍🌯🍬🏜🏰🎢🚽🛀🌡🌪🌊🎀🔕🔇🕯💰🔗🔫🚺🚹🚼🚯🚭🚳🚫🚱🚷✖❌❎💲2⃣5⃣"

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29. examples of internet/text messaging acronyms and abbreviations (internet slang)
Mekyah Dunbar, 2013 (S1)
i loveded u lol u is2 much 

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30. shirley roman, April 2016 (S3)
"no lie this guy is so funny made my stress go away a bit lmfao"

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31. kat3lynnn_, June 2016 (S7)
"OMG this is legit my new theme song for life)

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examples of abbreviations and/or a letter and/or number used instead of fully spelling out a word
32. Shania g, June 2016 (S7)
"righh slay lit low-key idku tho"

**
33. Canaria Powell, June 2016 (S8)
"thats awesome the mashup is da bomb do more plz

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examples of randomly typed letters and/or keyboard characters with or without seemingly random words
34. Marques Bluitt, June 2016 (S2)
"+Shernell “ghjhhguhuugjhfjjuNelly” Crutchfield hjjgjgnjjkgkiuuju"

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35. Megan Steele, June 2016 (S2)
"hth Nehru hc6hfgy 92uf 46-year-old age ufutfugjfuufufugh guy fuufjtuff rjghyrydhvhnf🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅👀😕😕🚳🚱🛄💤👄👅💩🔥💧👀"

**
36. Thomasiana Williams, October 2015 (S4)
"fplnqk in unglazed joc j box Cypriots to"

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examples of one, two, or three word comments, sometimes pertinent to the discussion and sometimes not
37. Angela Cowgill,June 2016 (S3)
"Yo"

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38. Tamara Morrell, April April 2016 (S3)
"bam"

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39. Dalya Abdullah, June 2016 (S4)
"hi"

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40. Zymere Visco, May 2016 (S5)
"Sharkeisha is Cameron j"

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Reply
41. Meosha Brown, May 2016 (S5)
"yes"

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Reply
42. Janiya McGill, June 2016 (S4)
"+ZymereVisco DUHHH(followed by four emoticons)"

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examples of misspelled words (words that aren't purposely misspelled)
43. Janai Crotzer, 2013 (S1)
"She don't even go to shersh"

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44. Raina Priester, 2013 (S6)
"Im An IDEPENDENTANT! <<<< HOW EVER YOU SPELL IT!"

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45.Keyanta Gary, June 2016 (S8)
"Ok ladies now let's go get some loshon"

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Reply
46. Chaotic Madness, June 2016 (S8)
"Okay Keyanta Gary Lets get some spelling its l-o to the t i o-n we know your petty i can tell u that much O.o"

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Children Posting On YouTube Discussion Threads- A Recipe For Danger

Edited by Azizi Powell

Revised - October 28, 2017

An article entitled "Home Computer Access and Internet Use" http://www.childtrends.org/?indicators=home-computer-access indicates that

"In 2011, almost six out of ten children ages three to 17 used the Internet at home (58 percent), nearly six times as many as in 1997 (11 percent). Eighty-three percent had a computer at home, up from 15 percent in 1984.

Home access to computers and the Internet has expanded dramatically over the last two decades, and the ways children, youth, and adults use these tools are in rapid flux, as new technologies are developed. For example, Internet-enabled devices now include not only computers, but televisions, electronic books, and other handheld devices such as music players and cell-phones. Increasingly, the lines are blurred between computers and many other types of electronic media.

Young people are most likely to use a computer for social networking, playing games, and watching videos"...
-end of quote-

According to http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/dec/04/youtube-google-search-kids-open-thread, "YouTube has a massive audience of children watching videos already, even if they’re not (in theory) allowed to sign up for an account."
-end of quote-

Facebook and YouTube discussion threads aren’t meant to be a safe space for children. But it may be more dangerous for children to write comments on YouTube discussion threads than it is for them to write comments on their family's and friends’ Facebook walls. Presumably, if and when children post on their parents' or their older siblings' Facebook pages, it is more likely that they are talking to people they know.

I'm concerned that children may think that posting comments on YouTube music discussion threads is a safe way of interacting with people who like the same music that they do, when in fact commenting on YouTube- and even sharing contact information such as their instagram address is quite dangerous.

Children can post on these discussion threads regardless of their ages either via their own account or by using their parent’s or other adults' or teen's accounts. Therefore what is worrisome is not just the ways that children post on these discussion threads, but the very fact that children can posts on these discussion threads whether the music video is supposedly geared for children or is supposedly geared for adults and teens.

Take for example this Hip Hop dance style video:

@DJLILMAN973 - SUPA M. THEME ( Team Lilman Anthem 2 ) OFFICIAL VIDEO



DJ LILMAN, Published on Dec 30, 2014
-snip-
Unlike some other Hip Hop dance centered videos, there's no cursing in that song, and there are no sexually explicit references or violent content in the song or in the video. Three young girls are included among the dancers in this video, which might further suggest to children viewing the video that it is okay for them to post comments about the video and engage in conversations with others about the video and/or the song.

However, that video's discussion thread contains some cursing and children will read those comments. But I'm even more concerned about the possibility of children being lured into dangerous situations by someone posting on that discussion thread. Lately I've noticed more instances of people on YouTube discussion threads posting their phone numbers. I've also found more instances of people engaging in chit chat with other commenters, which wouldn't be so bad if people like Subway's former spokesperson weren't out and about in the world preying on kids.

Here are some examples that I've culled from that Team Lilman Anthem 2 discussion thread - with the reminder that I don't have any problem with that particular song or video- It's the climate we live that I have a problem with.

Christian Jones, February 2015
"+Saleena Jackson you are hot by the way this Chris I'm 17"

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keyyah hart, February 2015
"Lol i got it me nd my friend was doing this all day we dont know all of it but we know the beginning we still learning the end part to clappers remix"
**
Bestie Best friend, February 2015
Reply
"+keyyah hart if u want I can teach u the whole thing

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keyyah hart, February 2015
Reply
"Yea sure +shakyrah taylor"

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Nikia Brito, March 2015
"Come and get me I'm a dancer"

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Nakeisha Glover, February 2015
"I love you lil man can you come meet me"

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[comments given in consecutive order]
Parker Forbes, September 2015
"The girl in front of the song she died fire"

**
Latoya Byrd, September 2015
Reply
"+Parker Forbes you is a lie no she did not"

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Parker Forbes, September 2015
Reply
"Can I see your profile"

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Parker Forbes, September 2015
"Kayla bullock who are you"

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Parker Forbes, September 2015
"Yooo"

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Parker Forbes, September 2015
"Who wit it"

**

Tiffany Brewster, September 2015
"Bsjgkdhz Dr y TX h XT ehd"

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Amber Rencher, October 2015
"I Love you friend and make sure you call love to dance studios."

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Parker Forbes, October 2015
"+Amber Rencher what's your number"

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Sonia Smith, October 2015
"+Amber Rencher"

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Angel Crespi, November 2015
"dude y ur vids got a little bit views"

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Parker Forbes, November 2015
"Ok"

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[comments given in consecutive order]

January 2015
DJ LILMAN Shared on Google+
"@DJLILMAN973 - SUPA M. THEME ( Team Lilman Anthem 2 ) OFFICIAL VIDEO"

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briana smalls
"my brother is in the that song"

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Unique Whitley
"Yessss"

**
gianni Dixon
Reply
"Which one is ur brother"

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Bestie Best friend
Reply
"+briana smalls who you're brother"

**
Bestie Best friend
"Who ya brother"

**
Bestie Best friend
"+briana smalls who ya brother"

**
Katrina Lee
"I have a crush on dj lol man."

**
Bestie Best friend
Reply
"+Katrina Lee are u for real"

**
Neveah Warren
"Who your brother"

**
Katrina Lee
"Shakyrah you are aunt Vanessa daughter"

**
Katrina Lee
"DJ Lil man I got his number give me your number so I can give it to you"

**
Neveah Warren
Reply
"No"

**
Neveah Warren
Reply
"No no no no"

**
Kesha Williams
Reply
"+Neveah Warren"

**
February 2015
Lakesha Smith
"hydeqwqwertgjm,./ []'ASDFGJKLAsdfghjkl;ASDFGHJKL;ASDFGHJKL \AZSDFGH BNMJKL;DFGHJMM,ASDFGHJK.AsdfgbnmAQSWDFGYCG76SDFTGORFGJL;LOIZS bsdfgdjklslaSDFGVBJNMYTGF,DSZ\ZASWDCFGVBNM76YTRE,WA\c vb8921eu98233i7828wqu22wqigwq8YQ7E2988I28U129QWYHAUUA9QY7Asdwew23y78ewuqahsuuaiw8udut6 NMNBDE6YJWYS2ERDRP342ORVY3EFUEGYDGEB3YCFBEWXHB ZHBX ZHNBZXJAsi SDFGHJKL;a|"}|''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''yu7qwe236y23qsdfGUJIREWQDCFVGBNJM}z'\'\''''Z"

**
Lakesha Smith
"+Lakesha Smith ke'muual qqqqqqqqqqqqqqwertyuiop=\aSDFGHJKLL; Asdfghjklll; [[]' |zxcvbnm,./"

**
Lakesha Smith
"+Lakesha Smith"

**
Bestie Best friend
"+Katrina Lee uhhhh yea are u Alasia's mom"

**
Bestie Best friend
"+Katrina Lee are u my cuzin"

**
Neveah Warren
Reply
"Who"

**
Bestie Best friend
Reply
"Not u"

**
Neveah Warren
Reply
"Oh"

**
Katrina Lee
"hey shakyrah this Noonie"

**
Bestie Best friend
Reply
"Hey Noonie"

**
Bestie Best friend
"+Katrina Lee wat up"

**
Layl L
"Can I join your team I'm awesome dancer just like your cool pretty daughter"

**
Wichie Picart
Reply
"Life is hard"

**
Layl L
"So"

**
syid afrika
Reply
"So what what you mean soooooo"

**
Ra'Naja Whiting
"+syid afrika"

**
FranDesan Santana
"+Ra'Naja Whiting"

**
April 2015
Zahir Hernandez
"DJ lil man"

**
Layl L
"So"

**
dasilkey1
"+butterflygirl lay"

**
May 2015
Lakale Saxton
"stop saying so little girl and you probley look like a dummy"

**
Gionna Thompson
"Gionna"

**
Sanaa Rogers
Reply
"+Lakale Saxton they are not a dummy dummy"

**
Layl L
Reply
"+Sanaa Rogers mind ur biz"

-end of comment examples-

Given the increase in internet use in homes, schools, and elsewhere in the community, it's probably a losing battle to try to keep children off of YouTube video music sites that appeal to their age group as well as to teens and adults.

YouTube has a prompt that people should report spam or abuse. But I don't think that YouTube is talking about the kind of abuse that worries me. My position is that adults need to monitor what their children and the children they are responsible for do online. Furthermore, we need to talk to children about the dangers of online social networking. Adults need to tell children that recording artists, dancers, and others who are in YouTube videos or say that they are in YouTube videos aren't their friends. Furthermore, children should be taught that people who post comments online aren't their friends. They shouldn't engage in chit chat with them and they should never share personal information with them. If children do post online comments, they should ignore people they don't know who try to engage them in conversation.

I'm interested in your comments and suggestions about this subject. How do we help children protect themselves online?

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The content of this post is presented for sociological purposes.

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Visitor comments are welcome.