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- Taken from: Times-Colonist newspaper, January 8th, 1996
- ---
- PERSONAL ADVICE
- On-line flirting good cause for husband's concern
- ANN LANDERS
-
- DEAR ANN LANDERS: The letter from "Outmaneuvered in Arizona" hit
- close to home. He was the man whose wife began an affair over the
- computer.
- Six months ago, my wife, "Betsy," told me I had been neglecting
- her because of my long hours on the night shift. Thinking it would
- occupy her time, I showed Betsy how to use the on-line chat service.
- Before long she was spending hours every night on the computer,
- chatting with men.
- Betsy told me not to be threatened. She even showed me some
- pornographic images sent to her by one of her new "friends." I asked
- why she would continue to talk to people who would send such kinky
- pictures. She insisted they were "nice guys" and it was all in fun.
- Two month's ago, I found a computer message Betsy had saved. She
- had told someone named "Bryan" that she was falling in love with him
- and was eager to meet him "in a neutral city" to find out if they
- were soul mates.
- When I confronted her, she said it was a joke. Then I found a
- message saying she was sending Bryan a video of her stripping. This
- shook me up and made me realize the fun and games had gone too far.
- I told Betsy the computer was destroying our marriage. She said I
- was being ridiculous. Last week, I got on the day shift and hope
- this will help. Meanwhile, Betsy is still on-line with Bryan,
- running up charges in excess of $300 per month. I need your help,
- Ann.
- FRESNO
-
- DEAR FRESNO: I have been hearing a lot of late about on-line
- romances and have concluded that there are now hundreds of married
- men and women flirting with strangers in this manner.
- You and your wife should seek joint counceling at once. Other
- married folks who are engaging in what appears to be a harmless pas-
- time should be aware that they are playing with fire. Therapists
- have labeled this a genuine addiction.
-