Should social networks ban users under 16?: ConnectSafely Forums: Community

Larry

Posts: 136

From: Silicon Valley, California

Registered: 6/19/06

(11 of 26)

Re: Should social networks ban users under 16?

Jun 29, 2006 2:41 PM

Love your sarcasm, JB. Maybe we should also ban schools, churches and family gatherings which, statistically, are more dangerous than social networking sites.

Larry ]:)

Anne

Posts: 507

Registered: 6/26/06

(10 of 26)

Re: Should social networks ban users under 16?

Jun 29, 2006 12:39 PM

I sense sarcasm, jbcoops.

It is difficult to imagine how MySpace would enforce a "ban of users under 16" when they can all very suddenly become 17 or older. Many people just register as having reached the ripe old age of 100.

The attorneys general also insisted that age verification of youth is possible, when the CEO of one ID-verification technology co. said there is simply no data available at a national level on people below driving age (and he is someone who stands to benefit from being able to say age verification is possible). Politicians seem to think the issue is technology, when it's about information that technology needs to check against, information a lot of parents wouldn't want the government to have. It really becomes a political question.
Anne

jbcoops

Posts: 37

From: Forest Grove, OR

Registered: 6/20/06

(9 of 26)

Re: Should social networks ban users under 16?

Jun 29, 2006 10:17 AM

Yes, MySpace should be banned, but not only for kids 16 and under but also for those 17 and older. Too many bad things could happen. Other things should be banned as well, for example, Wikipedia. Fortunately my school district had the foresight to ban Wikipedia, because, I think, someone might have posted something bad there somewhere at sometime and some kid might see it whenever.

It's important that legislatures focus on important issues like banning websites and flagburning, so that we may eventually move on to important issues like "when was the last time Kate Moss sucked something up her nose?" Other important things like Kirstie Alley and Janet Jackson's diets will eventually replace such nastiness as Baghdad and Darfur, which are really too depressing to let anyone under 16 (or over 17) know about.

The only thing that anyone should know about the Internet is that there are cyberpredators who will reach through your monitor and touch you inappropriately. Since the Internet serves no purpose, it is important that we do everything we can to shut it down entirely *and immediately*. I shouldn't even be allowed to post this!

Oh... btw... please take a look at Takingitglobal, Nabuur and Tapped In which are the only three good sites on the Internet. All others should be banned. Oh... except for this one: NECC 2006 because I'm giving a workshop at the biggest educational technology convention on July 5th from 8 to 11a.m. Pacific regarding Tapped In. It is there that I will present my proposal to end the Internet once and for all, and return the earth to its flat status.

son of liberty

Posts: 94

From: anytown, USA

Registered: 6/28/06

(8 of 26)

Re: Should social networks ban users under 16?

Jun 28, 2006 11:46 PM

no

Ron

Posts: 1

From: Moab, UT

Registered: 6/27/06

(7 of 26)

Re: Should social networks ban users under 16?

Jun 27, 2006 10:57 AM

Since the Internet doesn't seem to fall under the jurisdiction of any particular state legislature, I wonder what criteria will be used. Too many complexities to make the ban effective, not to mention 1st Amendment violations. Last time I checked, the Constitution applied to all; not just those over 16, or 18, or 21, or ???
Ron

nickm

Posts: 2

From: Glasgow, Scotland

Registered: 6/27/06

(6 of 26)

Re: Should social networks ban users under 16?

Jun 27, 2006 6:06 AM

I can't see any use in making a ban. Teenagers would just find other similar sites, lie about their age when registering, etc.

And much of what goes on within SN services is very sociable and positive, and well designed for their target audiences.

Better to look at ways of informing behaviour through awareness and education. Teenagers may still choose to behave in a risky way, but at least if they understand how to manage those risks to some degree...

heresjohnny

Posts: 3

Registered: 6/27/06

(5 of 26)

Re: Should social networks ban users under 16?

Jun 27, 2006 1:05 AM

No. Kids will get on these sites anyway. It would be better to let them in but teach them to use the site safely.

robin

Posts: 1

From: nyc

Registered: 6/26/06

(4 of 26)

Re: Should social networks ban users under 16?

Jun 26, 2006 8:32 PM

Banning has never worked for anything (not even the bomb). But, parents and kids need tools built into these systems to help them make decisions. Plus social networks need to figure out how to service and educate parents, too.

And schools should get in on the act. Like sex, if you learn social networking on the streets, you're going to be misinformed.

NancyKK

Posts: 1

Registered: 6/22/06

(3 of 26)

Re: Should social networks ban users under 16?

Jun 26, 2006 8:14 PM

I don't think banning would do anything to keep kids away from the MySpace. As a teenager, you always want what is forbidden, right? I'd like to see more parents set up their own accounts and understand how MySpace works, so they can, in turn, help educate their kids about it. Having a spot like BlogSafety also helps in learning more and hearing what other parents are doing.

SuperMom123

Posts: 5

Registered: 6/26/06

(2 of 26)

Re: Should social networks ban users under 16?

Jun 26, 2006 3:49 PM

I think they should put some restrictions on young kids but I don't think they should ban them. Too many kids are using MySpace and they'll just lie about their age if MySpace tries to ban them.

Larry

Posts: 136

From: Silicon Valley, California

Registered: 6/19/06

(1 of 26)