You guys aren’t going to believe this but I’ve made Fox News! And of course their story is as ill-informed and ill-researched as all of their news stories.
Here’s what I have to say to Fox and the hundreds who have messaged me
I’m very sorry about this situation but I will not be held responsible for it. However, I will do my best to help, not out of guilt but out of compassion. In fact, I have already tried to make contact with him.
My site and fb page is first and foremost a travel adventure blog. It is a place where I chronicle my travels. It is not a place where “kids meet adults” as claimed by fox news.
The title refers to figuratively running away. Most people understand this. However, since I was once a runaway and it is an integral part of my life and story, I can’t leave this part out.
Most of my readers are backpackers and people who aspire to travel.
Yes my site glorifies travel, but it does not glorify literally running away for teens. It is a point I am quite clear about throughout my site.
In the one article that actually pertains to kids running away, my primary goal has always been to dissuade them from doing so. In fact, part of the reason why I started this travel blog was to provide an informed resource by someone who actually ran away. Previously all that was available to kids was this terrible wiki article, http://www.wikihow.com/Run-Away-From-Home , that hardly touches on the negative implications of running away.
In addition, I often feature articles which encourage kids to travel in more orthodox ways and with their parents consent. Please see, How To Convince Your Parents To Let You Runaway.
Understandably there will be some kids who will be inspired by my site, they will disregard my guides which asks them not to run away, and do so anyways. In this case, it was not my site or guides that planted the seed. They found my site because they felt so serious about leaving home that they went so far as to research it on the internet.
I receive hundreds of e-email a month from kids who want to runaway. In them I try to understand their situation, give them strength, convince them that there will be plenty of time to travel in the future and ask them to wait until then. I always advise all kids under 18 who contact me specifically not to run away. I have a unique perspective, kids can relate to me, and this puts me in a position where I can actually help.
As a result of my site, I am very confident that I have inspired many people to travel. I am also confident that I have prevented countless kids from actually running away. Both of which have always been my primary goals.
To all of you who have sent me messages recently, please first read my site before you blindly accuse and label me such absurd things as human trafficker, and a pedophile.
Please read through it first.
Sincerely,
Leif
As a fellow blogger, my support is on you.
Shame on this kind of media outfit. How could they missed out the point and give away wrong info to the public? Haven’t they heard about “responsible journalism”? Oh My!
Leif mate ignore them, fox news are ill informed and have no idea what they are talking about!!!! much appreciation and support from the UK
When something attains a certain amount of presence, the sphere of those who notice it expands beyond those who will like it and understand it and use it properly. This is an inevitability no matter how much care the creator takes to prevent it, though they should still do their best.
If they think kids can meet people on here, just tell them to come have a look around. :)
Oh Leif, these people have got it all wrong, so wrong that they just made my Latin blood boil!
How dare they do this without fully reading your content and twist the story to their convenience and create what they live for=sensationalism journalism.
What a bunch of idiots!
Whatever happens, don’t back down. EVER!
I’m totally RT this.
As we say, FUERZA LEIF! Stay strong!
Thanks Karla, it made my scandinavian/asian blood boil too! :)
Well, there appears to be a grand total of two correct pieces of information in their report. The name of presenter 1, and the name of presenter 2. These guys could score 3 strikes with one ball the amount of spin they have.
I think your site is great and agree that the more information kids have available to them when it is relevant and they need it, the better. Keep up the good work!
I think it’s disgusting that his parents and Fox News have spun this story. This is a site full of great information and gives sound advice on how to plan trav and not putting loved ones through torture. This family need to get their priorities right and talk to their son to discover why he has runaway, rather than bury their head in the sand and try and point the blame to an innocent party.
I’d expect nothing less from Fox News. Idiots. Plain and simple.
I
LOVE AND SUPPORT LEIF. UNBELIEVABLE. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP.
Thanks Salam!!!
As much help as your blog has been to me, even I could tell it was about travel. I mean, come on, how many teens are likely to have a passport, first of all, and how many would be stupid enough to use it on a flight, or crossing borders in general. No offense, dude. It’s just that the border patrols and such will likely catch you if you go the legal way if the parents know you have a/your passport. Anyhow, fhe fact is is that they decided to run away, that’s how they got here. You didn’t hack their computers and open the page, or hold a gun to their head and tell ’em they had to run away, or brain wash them, or any other such nonsense.
And WTF, how do kids meet adults here? I mean, technically everyone who comes here meets *you*, but not how they try to portray it as. Even then, the above applies. And it’s not like you know our age, unless WE tell you. Just sooo many things wrong with this *facedesk*
I mean, the most you do to help future runaways is give them a base to start building their plan on. Better that then them going with no plan/supplies at all. So if anything they should be thanking you for helping either detering the kids or helping keep them safer.
Thanks Darian,
Yes, I have no idea how kids could meet adults here. It makes no sense.
I really appreciate your comment, thanks.-Leif
Another fine display of reporting prowess by FOX News. Media needs a scape goat – embrace it and use the publicity to spread the good word on travel and life enrichment. What a glorious shit show!
This is sick… I can’t imagine how you feel to be accused of being responsible for this!
I mean come on, it’s obvious that this website is most of all about travel…
By the way, when I was a teenager, I planned my runaway from home even without the internet. People who blame anyone just to feel better, make me laugh.
I actually can’t believe this! How misinformed of them to assume because a site has “runaway” in the title it’s to persuade kids to run away. I hope there’s not too much backlash for you, keep on doing what you’re doing.
WTF!
You mean to say that the media have taken something thats inspiring and helpful, twisted it around and made it into a negative story for their own gain? No, can’t be… They would never do something so outrageous right?
God, next they will be onto Suitcase Stories for promoting being homeless! lol
Freaking media – This is whats wrong with this world!
Hi, awesome, measured response here from you as always :)!
Please never, ever stop what you’re doing – I’m about to finally runaway to Europe with my boyfriend, we’re walking a pilgrimage across the Pyrenees then going to find a hippy beach squat, then gradually working our way towards the East… and your website has filled me with so much warmth and excitement at what we’ve got ahead – it’s lovely to read the words of someone who’s clearly so open, wise and free spirited :)). I don’t think you will anyway, but never let such a pile of ridiculous nonsense like Fox stop you, ever. Thank you for sharing your advice, stories and heart!! MASSIVE LOVE TO YOU xxx
Thanks Alex! Means a lot to me. Your trip sounds awesome, go for it! Cheers, -Leif
I can’t actually believe this! So weird and unnecessary. There are quite a few travel blogs with runaway in the title – I guess they’ll be on to them next…
Have you spoke to Fox News about this piece? Surely some of the ways they’ve portrayed you comes under slander? x
Leif, don’t worry about it. You are quite clear on your site and if people are too lazy or too thick to understand what you have written that isn’t your fault.
Where I am in Thailand I get Fox News on cable. If I want a laugh I might watch it for 5 minutes; if I want the news I go elsewhere.
Don’t change ANYTHING on your site. Start a social media campaign, and include @FoxNews in tweets. This is almost as ridiculous as when they claimed Gangnam Style was harmful to society and said that Psy comes from Pyongyang…Piss poor journalism from Fox.
Thanks Tom maybe I will. I’ve been writing news agencies to see if they will pick up on the story so I can rebuke fox.
I can’t believe Fox is still on the air. Good luck with this Leif. People want to blame anything & anyone else but themselves. Keep up the inspirational travel tales!
Thanks Matthew! I appreciate the support and I definitely will! Cheers, Leif
I don’t think you should ignore this! Someone will jump on the bandwagon and lobby for you to take down the site. Just make it clear that you are NOT encouraging people to runaway. I think they should interview you.
Thanks Cole, I would love to do an interview to rebuke fox. Cheers, Leif