2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Despite Lucy’s experience with the earlier online cases and being warned by all of the law enforcement siblings in her family, she enters into a secret online relationship. Why do you think she made this decision?

TSTL!!!!
She should have known better. I felt that she did it out of defiance, which makes her not only stupid but childish and immature.

Yeah, she should have known better for sure, but is could have just been a case of it's not going to happen to me. As smart as she is, she was still only 18. I think she thought he was a freshman from Georgetown and they could be friends (or more) when she got there.

Lucy knew the danger, but didn't think it would ever happen to her. I think she even thinks that in the book. I think she felt that since she was in a school chatroom that she was okay.

No matter how much teens are warned, they still think it won’t happen to them. Lucy thought she was smart enough to know the difference because she is smart. Meeting at Starbucks wasn’t a bad idea on the surface but what would have been smarter was to tell someone about it. She’d been conversing for a long time.

That's true, Jonetta. She did try to meet in a public place.

Yes, she should have definitely told someone what was going on. Keeping it a secret may have made her feel like she was in control of her life, but it cost her dearly.

I think I could understand it partly because my son and DIL met in a chat room (they were in their late 20s). When they were going to meet, however, her friend came with her and stayed until she felt comfortable.

I do think most teens/YAs wouldn't think that anything could happen to them.

Thanks for that info, Karen. When you’re that age, you feel immortal and invincible.

I still can't help thinking that Lucy's behavior was irresponsible and stupid. Yes, she might have felt it wouldn't happen to her, but she still came from a family in law enforcement and was well aware of the dangers of contacting and agreeing to meet someone online. She did it anyway. For me, it was a conscious act of rebellion on her part.