We were gone this past weekend so when I get home I always like to catch up on the newspapers. I still hadn’t found my “it” article for this week’s blog, so I was hoping to find inspiration. Well low and behold here it is.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/05/27/2010-05-27_child_porn_social_networking_site_busted_by_feds_once_had_1000_members.html
It seems like every time I try to defend intellectual freedom and social networking, something else happens whether it be privacy issues or serious illegal activity such as the case here. Basically, if you have not heard yet, an investigation has been ongoing into a social networking site that was used to share fantasies, pictures, and advice for adults looking to have sexual relationships with children. The site is said to have had over 1000 members and was run by a sexual offender in prison in England. Sadly, only 35 members have been convicted of crimes so far. The big news this week was that the site was officially shut down.
So after reading this article I was literally sick to my stomach and wondered what could be done to help protect children in my community from such crimes. Intellectual freedom is wonderful, but as long as that freedom is not based on illegal activities. It is so scary to think what parents could be missing while their child surfs the internet. It is so easy to end up in the wrong place.
My thoughts today go to portable internet devices such as phones and iPods. While parents can limit what their children see online at home with available filters and search histories, how can you be assured your child is staying safe if you can’t even keep up with all of their technological habits? Maybe you told them to get off the computer, but who’s to say as soon as they go to their bedroom they haven’t jumped on the wifi with their iPod and are surfing all night long? We have quite a few kids who come to the library and are on the internet on their phone or more often their iPod touch. While our internet has filters, the local coffee shop may not offer the same protection.
It has made me think that maybe it is time to offer internet safety courses at the library, and have those classes focus on mobile web applications rather than the desktop or laptop. Accessing information is changing and we all need to do our best to continue to protect our patrons/families from harm.
Christine
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I think that your idea of an internet safety course is a great idea. I'm convinced that a lot of parents don't have a clue about what is available on the internet. They need to take an active role in monitoring their kids activities if they wish to keep them away from illegal websites. Maybe librarians could help teach them how to do that.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, from everything that we are reading in this class, it seems like preventing young people from having access to ANYTHING goes against or apparent role as librarians, but there has to be an occasional middle ground.
A class is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI think there should be perhaps be some distinction made between a site that encourages and trades in pedophilia and "illegal activities." It isn't illegality that makes child porn bad, it's the damage it causes to children. On the other hand, I think people should still have the freedom to read a forum dedicated to pot smoking or music piracy.
It means a somewhat blurrier line, perhaps, but in my opinion it's worth it.
A class for parents is a great idea, but I would love to see internet safety standards become mandatory in schools as well. Yes, I realize that the school year is already overstuffed with standards (I teach science!), but many kids just don't think they are in danger. They feel like it will never happen to them.
ReplyDeleteMy husband's cousin (an 8th grader) thought she was talking to another young teenager online. He kept trying to get her to visit him and said that he would pick her up at the airport. If he is a teenager, then I am a monkey's uncle! Her parents were horrified when they found out that she was talking to this person and have since begun strictly monitoring her internet use. They thought she would know better (she's a smart kid). They also thought that the school provided some education on internet safety. When parents don't really know what is out there, it is difficult for them to protect their kids. The schools usually have a better idea of what dangers are present.
I remember as a kid watching G.I. JOE, at the end of every episode they had some kind of PSA that ended with “And now you know, and knowing is half the battle.” Having three young children, I know for a fact that these kinds of PSAs (other than washing your hands) are rare. Disney does have an internet safety message with Phineas and Ferb but you must go online to actually learn more. Schools, libraries, community groups, etc. should be working together to help educate our children. For example, we could have monthly workshops for parents, teens and youth that discusses the perils and pit falls of the internet and how to avoid these by using it correctly. I truly believe that education is the cure for all that ails us and we need to work together to keep kids safe. It should be the parents but many times that just does not happen.
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