Teens Drug Parents To Get Web Access 505
linuxwrangler writes "Two teens are behind bars after hatching a plan that involved drugging milkshakes they gave to the parents of one of the kids. The parents were suspicious after waking groggy the next day, and used a home drug-test on one of the remaining drinks. The teens came up with the plan in order to avoid their 10pm Internet curfew."
I blame genetics. (Score:1, Insightful)
Sociopathic tendencies seem to be genetic, and there is certainly plenty of selective pressure in favor of these traits in the modern day.
Re:I wonder what feels worse (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:A 10pm internet curfew? (Score:5, Insightful)
Control freak parents or not the kids were under their roof so their word was law.
It's been that way ever since the days of cave men.
If the kids don't like those rules they should get jobs and earn some of their own freedom.
Re:Freedom (Score:5, Insightful)
It's not right for a parent to adjudicate who is allowed to use the Internet that *THEY* pay for?
Really, if the kid wants their own internet, they should get themselves emancipated and move out.
Re:A 10pm internet curfew? (Score:5, Insightful)
Control freak parents or not the kids were under their roof so their word was law.
Well, there are definitely limits there. But imposing a 22:00 Internet curfew is well within the bounds.
Re:wow... horrible parents (Score:5, Insightful)
They fell asleep and were groggy the next day from 1/4 of the milkshake. Suppose they'd drunk the whole thing. They might be dead by now. Sorry, but I can't side with the kids on this. While I doubt the juvenile justice system is going to do them much good, what they did is definitely outside the bounds of acceptable behavior and should be considered criminal.
If I were the parents, I'd wait until they were convicted, then discuss sentencing options and see about making sure the harm is minimized. They deserve a really good scare and to see just how coldly the system can treat them for their incredibly outrageous and entitled behavior.
Re:wow... horrible parents (Score:5, Insightful)
It was only sleeping medicine, jesus... they acted like their kid and her friend slipped them cyanide.
What if one of them decided to drive to the corner store?
What if one of them decided to have a glass of wine before bed... maybe a cold beer?
What if they actually finished the shakes?
What if the parents are taking conflicting prescriptions?
What if they were taking the same prescription meds they were slipped?
What if one of them was allergic to the drug?
I could continue, but I think you can understand what the problem is.
Re:Wow (Score:5, Insightful)
I'm guessing video games will get blamed for this.
Of course. That and milk.
Re:A 10pm internet curfew? (Score:4, Insightful)
Of course there are times to be firm and times to be unyielding, namely when a child's safety is at stake. But silly things like an "internet curfew" will simply lead to the kid resenting their parents.
I think back to when I was in college, those with very strict and controlling parents usually ended up being the kids who drank heavily and skipped class and ended up having strained relations with their family. On the other hand, those with parents who were more rational and let their kids realize that staying up until 4 AM on the phone on weeknights lead to a miserable school day the next day rather than imposing a "phone curfew" ended up being more responsible.
Parents needed to use available tools. (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:wow... horrible parents (Score:2, Insightful)
Yeah, there's blame on both sides of the aisle. Yes, it was a pretty stupid thing to do to your parents, yes it was dangerous, reckless even. But to take it to court is basically to ensure that your kids have no future. Either because they turn to a life of crime after being released from jail (the US "justice" system isn't designed to provide for a bright future after release) or they become basically unemployable and live a life of poverty due to a criminal record.
There is absolutely nothing good that can come out of this situation.
Re:Freedom (Score:5, Insightful)
Drugging people is serious. Please don't become a parent...
Re:Wow (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:A 10pm internet curfew? (Score:4, Insightful)
um, no.
it's 10, go to bed.
go. to. bed.
no, you can't surf the internet. no, you can't stay up texting.
go. to. bed.
reasonable.
(ironic captcha: syringes)
Re:A 10pm internet curfew? (Score:3, Insightful)
It's a bedtime. Who didn't have that when they where a child?
Re:A 10pm internet curfew? (Score:5, Insightful)
The problem is though, controlling a child in silly ways like an "internet curfew" when they are teenagers isn't productive and leads to deeper problems.
It isn't out of the line, if the kid tends to stay up all ours of the night playing online. Or their school work suffers because they're sleepy in the morning.
Re:If they meant to scare them, they took it too f (Score:5, Insightful)
"I am not a doctor"
It shows.
The line between a dose that will reliably put a random person out against their will and what can shut down breathing or perhaps cause vomit aspiration is famously thin when you don't know about drug interactions, medical conditions, if they drank a couple beers on the way home, etc. etc.
If they'd drank the whole thing, maybe they'd have been alright, but then again maybe not.
Re:If they meant to scare them, they took it too f (Score:4, Insightful)
I am not a doctor, but all medications come in varying dosages. We don't exactly know the whole story here, so stop making assumptions.
My bet here is that something was seriously wrong in this household, and the teen was acting out in the only way she knew how.
It seems funny how you can assume that " the teen was acting out in the only way she knew how" based on the girl drugging the parents but not that the dosage in the shake might have been lethal based on the effect of 1/4 of the dose. If you are against assumptions the you are against all assumptions. Sorry but you can not pick and choose.
The parents were being vindictive, that's the only explanation.
Yet another assumption. Another explanation might be they were great parents at the end of their rope with a daughter who has no boundaries. We do not know the whole story..
A matter of perspective (Score:2, Insightful)
So, immediately everyone is going to talk about how this girl is a selfish facebook-generation twat, and how this is so terrible, and how she needs to be slapped down with the law, etc. While there's a chance that this is all true, I'd like you to consider for a moment other possibilities.
I grew up with abusive and controlling parents. I have been whipped with a belt. I have had all my belongings locked up in crates in other rooms, being given back to me when I "earned it" (which never seemed to happen). I have had my toys thrown in the fireplace because I couldn't clean them up fast enough. I've had the power to the entire house cut nightly because it was curfew time. I've had my bed and my car sold out from under me because it was decided that they were taking up too much space.
It is not normal teenage behavior to drug your parents: this is an extreme action. You may choose to believe that she is extremely entitled and potentially psychopathic, but other extremes are also possible. As a general rule, it would be nice if people reserved their judgement until they had all the details.
Trusting parents (Score:5, Insightful)
Does it not surprise anyone else that one of their first thoughts was to drug test the milkshake?
I can not possibly imagine waking up groggy and at any point thinking 'Was I drugged?!?!?!'
Re:A 10pm internet curfew? (Score:5, Insightful)
says an anonymous 12 year old ;)
Re:Freedom (Score:4, Insightful)
slipping drugs of any form into your parents body is far from a dumb stunt.
A dumb stunt would be someting like giving your parent a gag glass with a bottom that slips off or something. NOT something body-altering.
Re:wow... horrible parents (Score:5, Insightful)
Here here!
YOU. DON'T. DRUG. PEOPLE.
These tards talking like it was a prank either don't have kids, or shouldn't.
Responsible parents make sure that their kids learn basic decency, like never ever drugging people. This is not a "good scotsman" fallacy, it is blunt reality. Letting this slip would be a major failure at parenting.
Re:A 10pm internet curfew? (Score:4, Insightful)
Exactly. And THAT should be the punishment. If someone can stay up until 5 AM playing WoW and still end up doing well in school, what's the problem? If they're tired in the morning and end up having a horrible day because of it, chances are they're going to go to bed earlier so they don't get tired.
Been watching 60's sitcoms where kids learn from their mistakes have you? "Awww geee... I'm really cranky today, Ma and Pa were right when they said that would happen. i'd better go to bed early tonight like the good little child I am."
Left to their own devices, teenagers will often only make decisions that are in their best interests in the very short term. "I was really cranky all today because I stayed up late last night and it's 10pm now so I should go to bed but i've just got my second wind and feel great now so I won't".
That's what parents are for. I've had a bunch of people tell me their fantastical ideas about parenting... not saying "no" to their child, letting them do whatever they want and learning from their mistakes, etc, but for the most part it seems to be an excuse to never actually do any real parenting.
Re:wow... horrible parents (Score:5, Insightful)
Actually I would have my lawyer discuss with the DA a deal that involves involuntary commitment with reasonable terms to a mental health facility in lieu of conviction and formal sentencing. This way my child has no choice but to seek professional help and the parents of my child's friend will have no choice but to do the same.
If my child acted alone, I would most likely not press charges and just seek professional help. However if I was in the same situation as these parents, I probably would turn my child over to the authorities. Not because I think I need the state to get involved with my parenting, but because chances are pretty damn good that the friend put my child (in the story the friend provided the sleeping pills) up to this and I need the state to force the friend's parent to seek help. Besides the DA would probably take the plea deal in exchange for testimony against the child that provided the prescription drugs.
Regardless of the uncomfortable situation the parents found themselves in, ignoring the problem and hoping the behavior improves doesn't seem a viable option.
Re:Freedom (Score:2, Insightful)
let me take the devil's advocate, on this.
what do you need to be a parent? do you pass any qualifcations? prove your ability? stability? history of 'issues' that might be against raising a child?
NOTHING.
you knock a girl up and get her pregnant and soon you are both parents.
being a parent means nothing, in terms of judgement. in fact, seeing some parents, I find that it shows a *lack* of judgement (more often than not, sad to say).
I don't respect being a parent. being a GOOD parent is something to be proud of, but simply BEING a parent, on its own, means nothing. you could be just as likely to be horrible as good. its a wash.
that said, I see my share of bad kids, too.
(I think its all about that purple dinosaur, but I could be wrong.)
Re:A 10pm internet curfew? (Score:2, Insightful)
Disheveled hipsters making six figures, who can't show up on time, run silicon valley. ;-)
Re:Freedom (Score:4, Insightful)
If my kid drugged me? You bet your ass they would be. It's not just a dumb stunt. They could have done some serious damage.
Re:Home drug test kit? (Score:4, Insightful)
Something does seem truly odd about the parents seeking prosecution of their own teenage child.
A girl that drugs her parents, probably wasn't an angel before. Sounds like a very thick and very heavy last straw.
There is a stage, when kids are completely out of control, that many parents consider getting the law involved is the best thing not just for them, but for the child too.
Re:A 10pm internet curfew? (Score:2, Insightful)
I think everyone would rather have their kids at home playing video games all night than out fucking that Jimmy kid in the back seat of his car in a park.
Re:A 10pm internet curfew? (Score:5, Insightful)
The "miserable school day" is no consequence to most teenagers. They generally don't care. They will just sleep through class anyway or skip it all together. Many teenagers see no further than the next date or party and generally don't care whether or not they pass.
I agree that there are some parents who are control freaks. They dictate everything in their children's lives and the children rebel. There are also parents who set no boundaries for their children and the children act up just to be noticed. Both extremes have the same consequences; children that act out. There is a balance between those extremes where a child has both freedoms and constraints. Most teenagers do not yet have the mental capacity to understand the consequences of failing school. That is what parents are for. I think requiring a juvenile to not contact friends after bedtime so they get a good night sleep and have the capacity to learn in school is reasonable.
Re:Trusting parents (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:A 10pm internet curfew? (Score:3, Insightful)
I frequently pull all nighters to play video games. There is nothing wrong with that.
This is just entertainment. I don't see how it is worse than spending the night reading books.
Re:A 10pm internet curfew? (Score:2, Insightful)
The simplest one would be that the parents need sleep. Let's say Dad is a construction worker who has to be on a job site that's an hour away by 7 AM. That means he's probably going to get up around 5 to get ready. Setting a housewide 10pm bedtime is one way to make sure he can actually perform his best at the job that keeps the money flowing in. Most people can't afford homes large enough for it to be impossible to hear someone moving around.
Second, teens are not exactly known for massive self-control. Yes, some kids who stay up until 4 AM will pay for it by being exhausted all school day and going to bed early the next night, but many will just sleep in class, then stay up until 4 AM the next night.
anon b/c modded, Demonlapin
Re:A 10pm internet curfew? (Score:5, Insightful)
If someone can stay up until 5 AM playing WoW and still end up doing well in school, what's the problem?
self-delusion.
You can do this once or twice, especially if you are young. If you think you can do it regularily, then you are deluding yourself. Sleep-deprivation is a well-researched environmental condition and its detrimental physical and mental effects are undisputed.
However, humans are excellent at convincing themselves of any bullshit they want to believe in. Smoking isn't bad for your health, having fun is a sin, drinking every night is just a social activity, your problems are not your fault, whatever.
Someone with an addiction will rationalize it away and explain all resulting problems with other causes. He's not doing bad in school because of lack of sleep, but because the teachers are bad and the other kids are mean to him. He's not lost his marriage because of his drinking problem, but because his wife was unfaithful. He doesn't enjoy torturing people, it's just that sinners need to be punished. Whatever.
You are entitled to your own opinion, you are not entitled to your own facts.
Sleep deprivation and its effects are well-documented facts, no matter how much you wish that you can party all night, or play WoW or do whatever and shake it off. You can't. We know this, and wishful thinking doesn't change it.
Re:Wow (Score:4, Insightful)
Now I'm COMPLETELY aware the kid could have some mental issue and that alone made her do what she did, this would NOT be the parents fault and fall outside my post, I've said it so let it go.
Re:I wonder what feels worse (Score:4, Insightful)
That they had a home drug test that was able to test whatever drugs they were given is already pretty telling. Seems like there were other problems...
Re:This should be interesting... (Score:5, Insightful)
There are 2 perhaps 3 reasons to Jail people.
Reason 1. They are dangerous to themselves and others. These people need to be jailed to keep the rest of society safe, offering some life comforts often will help keep keep them safer. For example Cable TV in Jail is a godsend. Because before hand criminals would just exercise all day making themselves stronger and stronger so they can hurt more people. Cable TV has made them a bunch of couch potatoes, making them less physically strong to hurt people.
Reason 2. Punishment. The best part about giving extras to prisoners is if they misbehave they have something to take away. If they are good something to reward them. Otherwise the prisoners will have nothing to loose and will just behave badly.
Reason 3. Rehabilitation. There isn't strong evidence that Prisons are good at Rehab, However if they are, you cannot treat people like animals and expect them leave a changed person.
Re:It's 10 here but not 10 there (Score:2, Insightful)