In the news this month was a disturbing story about a teen that had a problem dealing with loneliness. His problem was so deep, he tried to deal with it in a way that was so troubling, and it almost cost him his life. Here is part of the story as written by KURT EICHENWALD. The 13-year-old boy...To Justin, they seemed just like friends, ready with compliments and always offering gifts. So began the secret life of a teenager who was lured into selling images of his body on the Internet over the course of five years. From the seduction that began that day, this soccer-playing honor roll student was drawn into performing in front of the Web cam. In this virtual universe, adults hunt for minors on legitimate sites used by Web cam owners who post contact information in hopes of attracting friends. If children respond to messages, adults spend time "grooming" them - with praise, attention and gifts - before seeking to persuade them to film themselves pornographically...Among them was Justin Berry. That year, he was a gangly 13-year-old..."I didn't really have a lot of friends," he recalled, "and I thought having a Web cam might help me make some new ones online, maybe even meet some girls my age."

Justin remembers his earliest communications with these men as nonthreatening, pleasant encounters. There were some oddities - men who pretended to be teenage girls, only to slip up and reveal the truth later - but Justin enjoyed his online community. His new friends were generous. One explained how to put together a "wish list" on Amazon.com, where Justin could ask for anything, including computer equipment, toys, music CD's or movies. The men also filled an emotional void in Justin's life. His relationship with his father, Knute Berry, was troubled. His parents divorced when he was young...The emotional turmoil left Justin longing for paternal affection, family members said. And the adult males he met online offered just that. "They complimented me all the time," Justin said. "They told me I was smart, they told me I was handsome." In that, experts said, the eighth-grade boy's experience reflected the standard methods used by predatory adults to insinuate themselves into the lives of minors they meet online.

Young people, as you read this column, we want you to understand that we know it’s tough trying to make it in this world sometimes. You have so much going on in your lives and trying to deal with loneliness is very challenging. If you or someone you know may be dealing with loneliness, here are some of the causes: low self-esteem, poor family relationships, societal factors, temporary or changing circumstances, fear, hostility, and inability to communicate (Josh McDowell’s Handbook on Counseling Youth). We want you to know that if these causes go untreated, they could lead to depression, violence, substance abuse, or even a tragic story like the one mentioned above.

Again, if you’ve been battling with these emotions or know someone who has, we ask that you contact a professional Christian counselor as soon as possible. Ask God to send you a trusted adult who will put you in the right circumstances that will lead you to a life of recovery and God’s ultimate plan for your life. We want you to remember that you’re not in this alone and God is right there, ready to bless you through these trials. Don’t let the enemy keep you from talking about how you feel to your parents, guardians, Pastor, or anyone else that is ready to get you on the road to recovery.


At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. 2 Timothy 4:16-18. (NIV)