Social Networking and Filtering

I watched Q&A, and also Four Corners this week, on the topic of internet censorship. Along with the class discussion, I'd like to share a few insights as a parent:-

Having kids who are now adults and from confiding in other parents during the "hard times", I have come to view that experimentation is part of normal growing up; rebelling against parents values is needed to develop one's own identity, as is exploring/finding out about sexuality including bizarre sexual acts. I'd say to parents:-

• Trust that your children at times will not to do the 'right' thing. At times you will dislike (yes, even hate) your kids for their behaviour, because it is not what you value ot taught them.
• Don't over react when you find out that they have been doing "wrong things".
• Have a life yourself to avoid being driven insane.
• Trust that even with all their transgressions, they will turn out alright -remember the things that you got up to as a teenager. Do you really want your kids to turn out like you?

Computer placed where it is visible? Dream on. Most parents are still at work when their kids get home from school. Unless you are willing to be in the house 24/7 to watch over them or do a history check on internet websites visited, what is the point? Can you recall how it felt to have parents invade your privacy?

I think parents are better off looking for behavioural signs such as children withdrawing, not socialising, mood swings, or not being accountable for there wherabouts. Know who they are hanging out with and where they are, and keep your kids accountable by asking questions, such as, " who are you talking to on the net?" Occassionally interrupt them just to let them know you are around. Accept grunts and non-verbal gestures as an answer.

Have fun with short stints of stirring your kids and their friends up. (Sneaking around in the background with crazy hats on and puppets when your teenage kid is on webcam is enjoyed by all).

In relation to censorship of the internet, if it is not going to be effective, no point wasting the money. Given what we learnt in class today, that teenagers often initiate contact with predators over the internet, this is scary. But it is also what happens in real life. It would be better to spend the millions on providing more resources for youth, teaching emotional resilience, and addressing things that lead to low self esteem and "seeking out love".

The authorities can at least track and catch the predators by what they get up to on the internet.

I like the idea of ISTP's offering censorship and have no gripes with the Ed Dept censoring. It is then up to the customer to review the package that the ISTP is offering when agreeing to a contract. I liked the analogy of the water filter, at the home level a filter will not slow down the whole system. If you put the filter higher up the distribution chain, it slows it down for everyone.