‘999’ Emergency Numbers For MySpace & Co. April 02, 2008
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Social networking sites like Facebook, Bebo and MySpace may soon have to carry a ‘999’ emergency link to improve the safety of kids online.
In a 73-page draft of a report due to be published on Friday by Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, the sites will have to carry ads for the emergency services so that kids can call if they feel they are being targeted by potential abusers.
Experts contributing to the report claimed that youngsters are at risk from ‘sexual grooming’ by paedophiles, bullying and online fraud.
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
Contributor | Tamlin Magee
Comments
"Free software for parents to restrict access to certain sites is one solution suggested."
We need to get out from under the delusion that restrictive software like this actually does anything. As long as the kids have physical access to that computer, they can do anything they want. All they need is to know how, and that's not something you can keep from them.
Don't want your kids to see porn? Don't want them to learn about alternative religions? Don't want them to be, horror of horrors, exposed to the outside world? Then don't let them use a computer.
Or, here's an idea, talk to them about all that stuff before they learn about it on the Internet. If you're so worried they'll get the wrong idea, then why not educate them about it?
Why companies that provide services should handle such calls? Strong no.
What are children doing surfing social networking sites, or the Internet even, without parental supervision?
"Or, here's an idea, talk to them about all that stuff before they learn about it on the Internet. If you're so worried they'll get the wrong idea, then why not educate them about it?"
Oh yeah, I can just imagine that. "And so that, my dear daughter, is what a bukakke party is". Where do you draw the line on what you tell them about?
WRT social networks, I would insist that my own daughter has *me* as a friend and then I can view which friends she has whenever I wish. If I find she's added someone dodgy then I'd quiz her on it. I'd also insist that she doesn't add anyone that she doesn't know in real life. No friend of a friend thing.
@Acronyms 999 is an emergency service. facebook, myspace wouldn't be handling the calls, this is just for a "ad" placement and a how-to page for the 999 number.