The step father said that he thought it was best left up to the boy. It has been said here that he was lorded over by his captor, I would agree with that most likely being true.
Allowing the boy to make the choice empowers him towards his own decisions does it not? Shielding him away against his will could have been harmful in that it would seem like more of the same to him. I would have to agree with you in one area, as a minor the parents are the ultimate authority.
Is it possible that leaving children out can augment the problems we see today? I wonder if shielding kids from reality is always the best thing to show them. Would it not be proper to say that they could, and do, grow up thinking that being shielded from reality is right and proper well into adulthood? Is this not a problem associated with the views taken by the leftist of liberals? Don't they live in that very shielded from reality world?
When an unwilling participant is getting beat up and it is perceived as entertainment we indeed have problems in our society. I admit I am guilty of watching videos of that nature and considering them entertainment. Posed to me in the way you did, made me think, thanks. I have a bit of a different view right now than I had before talking with you. I see a line between willing and unwilling participants.
I am in agreement with what you had to say about the internet. If the media is attempting to dissuade people from it, or making attempt to control it, then they are fighting a truly senseless battle.