DOPA ain’t so Dope…a?

“It’s good to shut up sometimes.”
-Marcel Marceau

Tizzy! Tizzy! Social Networking! Social Networking! Children… MUST… be… stopped… from learning technology and talking to other kids…. What a silly reaction.  Granted– safety is  BIG issue.  And– how can teachers/librarians keep up on the latest of the latest when they’ve a thousand other things to do.  But shutting ALL sites out that offer peer to peer communication?  Seems a bit… i don’t know… intense.

Read this about DOPA and try and find the right/wrong of it all (i’m STILL trying to figure the lay of the land, and I’ve been thinking about it all morning):

STAFF EDITORIAL: Deleting Online Predators or Deleting Online Teens?
by Larry Magid
August 1, 2006

Last week the House of Representatives passed a well-meaning but ill-conceived piece of Internet safety legislation that could actually make the Internet a more dangerous place for children and teens.

The Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA), approved Wednesday by an overwhelming margin of 410 to 15, now moves on to the Senate. While it’s easy to understand why Congress would approve a bill like this, it is ill-conceived because, rather than “deleting” online predators, it deletes the ability of schools and libraries to determine whether kids can constructively take advantage of social networking and other interactive services that are extremely popular among teens. Maybe the law should be called DOTA (the Deleting Online Teenagers Act)?

…The bill (H.R. 5319) amends the Communications Act of 1934 “to require recipients of universal service support for schools and libraries to protect minors from commercial social networking websites and chat rooms.

“The legislation,” said Tim Lordan, Executive Director of the Internet Education Foundation which advises U.S. lawmakers on technology, “lumps social networking sites and chat rooms with previously blocked sites that are obscene or contain child pornography, as if social networking was somehow the same as those horrendous sites.”The bill defines social networking sites as being “offered by a commercial entity; permits registered users to create an on-line profile that includes detailed personal information, permits registered users to create an on-line journal and share such a journal with other users; elicits highly-personalized information from users; and enables communication among users….”

That covers more than just chat and social networking and could force school and library officials to ban a wide range of sites, including Amazon.com and many news sites that allow for user feedback and interaction.

But even if the bill weren’t overly broad, it would still be troublesome because it is the wrong – and I would argue a dangerous approach – to Internet safety.  While nearly everyone agrees that Internet predators should be “deleted,” this bill doesn’t address that issue. Unlike the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, which the President signed into law on July 21, DOPA does nothing to strengthen penalties or increase prosecution of criminals who prey on children. Instead, it punishes the potential victims and educational institutions chartered to serve them, by denying access to interactive sites at school and libraries.  It would be like trying to protect children from being injured or killed by drunk drivers by ruling that kids can no longer walk, ride a bike or even ride in a car or bus to school…

To read more:
BlogSafety Community: STAFF EDITORIAL: Deleting Online …

The BIG social networking sites: Are they as cool anymore?

“In
times of change, learners inherit the Earth, while the learned find
themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer
exists.”
(Quote by Eric Hoffer)

Big social sites in decline?

The Wall Street Journal reports there is “a fringe of Internet users now renouncing MySpace and other social-networking sites – not in spite of their popularity but because of it.”

Because of that, and because the Journal reported that traffic at MySpace and Facebook’s fell 4% and 12% respectively in September, a blogger at MediaPost asked, “Are kids getting sick of MySpace and Facebook?” and a blogger at MarketingShift wrote, “MySpace will become like the mall to a teenager on Friday nights. It’s too crowded so nobody goes there anymore.” I don’t think it’s that simple. Growth on MySpace and Facebook *had* to flatten out, but I don’t think we’re going to see anything like a mass exodus to niche sites any time soon. I think geographically-based social sites or YouthNoise.com or sites for new-school skiers or skateboarders are just another arrow in teens’ social quiver. It’s hard to move entire peer groups from one social site to another, and - until all the niche sites are interoperable with email and IM, there will always be a need for one that aggregates friends, potential friends, and even ex-friends who might come back into the circle at one’s school.

BlogSafety Community: Big social sites in decline? …

"Always listen to experts. They’ll tell you what can’t be done and why. Then do it.”

Inside Facebook - Read it for Free

Karel Baloun, one of the first engineers to join Facebook, recently wrote and self published a tell-all ebook on his experiences there called “Inside Facebook.”

Early reviews are mixed, although I found the book to be an insightful look at a successful startup from a key insider. The language is rough and unpolished, but the content is going to be interesting to people fascinated by Silicon Valley culture.

The book, in downloadable pdf format, is available for $12 ($9 for students). Baloun is also selling a printed autographed version of the pdf for $39.

TechCrunch readers can read the book for free online for the next 36 hours at a special link they’ve created. Read it here.

(Quote by Robert Heinlein)

The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.

The articles of the day:

Finding Balance in Teen Use of Social Media
They (Teens) Want to Be Good
The UK is Teaching Kids What They Should Know about Being Safe Online
Samantha Parker’s Ruminations on Safety and Building Social Networking Sites
Information about Swiki’s– the Marketing Wiki tool of the Future
A blog entry about entering into the Mod world of Social Networking (basically, a blog directed at someone like me)

Happy Reading and Hopeful Learning (at least on my part )

(Quote by William Shakespeare)

“The same thing happens in any genre: They’ll saturate it, put a pillow over it and smother it.”

Oh, woe are the good hearts that want to create a social community to create congregation, commiseration, and unstoppable insanity.
So the buzz words of the year are: Social Networking and Online Communities

It’s hard to conquer a nation on behalf of kids when everyone else is doing it to make a buck. Okay… so making a ‘buck’ is how websites survive. So true, so true. But holy saturation batman! What I WANT TO KNOW is… of all of the entertainment companies that are tacking ’social networking’ into their brand framework– how many of them actually give a (excuse my crudeness) crap?! Seriously.

When I was a freshman in college I FINALLY got cable. I grew up with the television as one of my closest friends (sad, isn’t it? That’s what happens when you live in a kid-less neighborhood), and my parents feared for my well being if they offered me more than 7 channels. Being the cartoon-freak I am, I dove head first into the wonderful world of Nickelodeon. I can’t tell you how many times my old roomie asked to change the channel from Blue’s Clues (Sponge Bob is the new Blue’s Clues).

I loved everything about Nickelodeon, and I would write emails to their info account from their webpage (which, at that time, was barely anything at all). My topics ranged from “I want to be on Figure it Out” to “How can I help promote kid empowerment with Nickelodeon” (term paper for my Social Development and Education class). Not once did I recieve an email. Not even an automated email. Nothing. Nada.

In a way, I don’t blame them for not answering. I was a freshman in college after all– and that just BREEDS creepy factor (no matter how honorable my intentions were). However, I can only wonder how many kids followed my lead? Kids love properties. They love characters. They are mini martyrs for their causes (which tend to be like collages of pop culture). They use their likes/loves/dislikes/hates as identity markers. With that much enthusiasm, how can you NOT give back?

So as the market FILLS will social networking platforms… keep an eye out for the sites that actually acknowledge and respect the end user (as more than mere dollars and stats).

Quantity vs Quality? Quality every time.

(Quote: Tim Burton)

“Sow good services; sweet remembrances will grow them.”

Questions to ask:

1) Social Responsibility and Ultimate Kid Empowerment. How and when do they intersect? How and when do they conflict?

2) Media, Literacy, and Accountability. Are there guidelines for media’s creative influence over children? Is it a hope that supportive websites for cartoons & books automatically support literacy? Or are there larger questions of accountability?

(Quote by Madame de Stael)

“Level with your child by being honest. Nobody spots a phony quicker than a child.”

Thanks for that, Mary MacCracken.

Okay, ladies and gents, I’ve just got to say it: some people have it, and some people don’t.

Have what, you ask?

Well– have the ability to garner attention freely given by a child. Some people use props to try and make up for the lack (but only come off looking like creepy clowns, pervy ice cream truck drivers, or over-compensating soul-suckers who use puppies as bait for attention)… and some people think by changing the tone of their voice that they’re soon to succeed (Hey there wittle guy… Gramma whammy thinks you have to go tickle-tickle!). I’m sorry, ladies and gents, that’s just not the way it works.

Being a Screener/Moderator, etc, is a job meant for two types of people.

1) The person who is totally cool with him/herself (a great sense of humor is a nice addition)
2) The person that can play… who has an imagination and isn’t afraid to use it.

The lucky are the people who have both qualities.

Kids are like bees. Bees smell fear. Kids smell weakness. If you are coming at a kid with any kind of weakness, they’re going to eat you up, spit you out, and manage to wrangle a few cookies out of the deal too. Kids are no dummies. They’re taught early on about trust– especially the stranger danger rule. If you’re not sincere about your objectives, then chances are you’ll be spotted and noted and no longer trusted. Granted… kids do like free stuff. So those people who come toting toys to cover up their lack of kid-coolness WILL get some attention. Who DOESN’T want freebees? Just remember– it’s the toys that are cool, the presents that rock… NOT YOU. So don’t be one of those people. It makes you pervy.

Type 1 moderator/screener
Okay… these people usually carry one tone of voice, but can interact with many. They are representatives of a personality that kids personally feel identifiable with. Cool goth, cool sport, cool goofy, cool big bro/sis, etc. They’re the people who aren’t focused on kids, but instead– are just there to hang out, maybe teach/guide an activity, chill out, and keep on keepin’ on. They understand that their job is to maintain an environment– like an RA, or a counselor. Kids gravitate towards this mentality. Who doesn’t want to know the cool kid? All that self confidence in who they are, with mod power too– it’s something you want to be some day.

Type 2 moderator/screener
These people are able to act and not come off like pedo-creeps. They’re there for the role playing, or the game… not for the kid individually. Of course, they understand that kids are the job… keep them safe and entertained, but this is done by continuing the imagination. Clowns play AT kids (hence their scary, soul-sucking freakishness). Type 2 plays WITH kids. They can balance creative-freedom in imagination with responsibility of protecting kids, and they remember that play is ONLY play… When things get intense (as sometimes they do when imaginations run amuck with strength) it’s type 2 that knows to pull back and restart the game, or pause for a breather.

There are many different variations of these two types of people… but isn’t that the case with everything? No neat/clean answers.
But for all you people who want to work with kids… be honest about who you are, and your intentions (god help us– make them honorable and pro-kid safe!)… lying to a kid, or even lying to yourself is just trouble waiting to happen… and it WILL happen. Missing cookies will be the least of your worries.

I see the arduous sea reach and fall for the open sky, yet never cease.

Louisa May Alcott once said,

“Far Away, there in the sunshine, are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.”

I have no accute, precise way of saying what I want for kids… I just know I want to give them the world– free of worry, yet artful and messy– like some collage of pictures dripping with glue and covered in glitter.

Now that I’ve garnered some responsibility in world-building for children, and playground construction for imaginations… it is time to sort through kid safety, social and media-based accountability, and press my thumb firmly on the pulse of kid-based technology.

On a side note… sugar cookie time is upon us. I look forward to the pumpkin shaped ones.

“Hello, Babies! Welcome to Earth”

Thanks for that quote, Kurt Vonnegut.

You can expect: quotes, kid speak, moderation tidbits, and the hard knocks of someone making their way in a new world.

Hang out. I’ll do a jig for you.