You know, you have a very strong point DigitalJay. I don't know so much about the chat site's responsibility, because they are running a business site where anyone can chat. But a monitor in each room would be a good idea. Even if each monitor is part of more than one room. At least they can keep an eye on people who only come in to make trouble. But it's really up to the user to be responsible. But I agree, something does need to be done. The same problem that happens with these closeted twinks also happens to submissive males in the kink scene. They are still closeted about thier interests (which is a lot like being in the gay closet) and they will hook up with these online "Masters" and "Daddys", and will buy any line they give them. These guys are in an aweful lot of danger. You don't need any kind of certification to be a Dom, and sadly, any random creep can go online and pretend to be something he is not. Plus, someone who has a submissive nature may find themselves wanting to do what these hot Dom guys are telling them to do, yet be too niave to realize that you really shouldn't follow the orders of just anyone you meet in a chat room, not matter what they are calling themselves. And these guys are afraid to tell thier friends that they're going to someone's house to get tied up, flogged or whatever, so they put themselves in great danger. I'll tell you, I've had a few really bad experiences and looking back, I'm very lucky to be here today and still have my health (and all my body parts!)

I belong to a leather club and we have something we call the "boy network". If I'm going to play with someone, I know I can call on any of my leather brothers and give them a name and an address where I will be. We'll also make arrangements for me to call or instant message when I'm done. And we have the advantage that we can pass around the person's photo or profile online and ask if anyone knows the person, if he is safe, and possibly talk to some of the guys who have played with him before.

Now, how could we apply this to the vanilla dating world? Could the gay chat sites have some sort of registration service? Maybe a chat site that verifies people's info so that you know you are safe by meeting this person? Or perhaps the formation of clubs where young men could join, keep their information private (to stay in the comfort zones of their closets), yet compare notes about the men they meet in the chat rooms and, hopefully, make others aware of predators. There has to be something that can be done.