Correct me if I'm wrong.

I understand your concern. I heard it from other people, although I don't experience it myself. I talk to kids online all the time, though keeping things civil. The youngest kid I have talked to online was an 11-year-old, who is now aged 17. I'll try to describe what you are feeling, based on what others have told me, then correct me if I'm wrong: you worry that even innocent thoughts could lead to actions that could be perceived as suspicious by other adults or that could make the kid uncomfortable. For example, you may think "I want to be closer to this boy and spend more time with him", but you may also feel "if I do this, others might find weird, even if nothing sexual happens" or "if I do this, I might arise suspicion in the kid". In my experience, you be as close as they want you to be. Online, this takes form of not contacting the kid first, but letting them contact you first. I don't talk to my young friend unless he initiates the chat. And, nonetheless, we chat a lot. Remember that a lot of other adults, non-pedophiles, talk to kids often. Myself, as a teacher, often have friendships with students. Your feelings are result of overly policing yourself, so I would advise you to remember that thoughts are harmless. Just worry about keeping your actions within the boundaries of the law, and don't make the kid uncomfortable, and things should be fine. (https site) Final Call for Participation: 3 Studies on MAPs and their Friends/Families [@nonymouse] [Guardster] [Proxify] [Anonymisierungsdienst]