IYAC-oppinions

[aido179]

The International Youth Advisory Council-

17-21 July 2008 sees the first ever International Youth Advisory Congress (IYAC) as up to 200 young people from all around the world come together in London to meet with representatives from across government, the police, child protection communities and the online and mobile industries.
The theme is online safety and security.

I was lucky enough to be selected out of a possible 100,000 young people in Ireland to represent the country along with six others.
We head off in July to the thing in London. Apparently, figures like Richard Branson (Virgin) who is funding some of it are attending.

So what do you guys think could help child security on the internet? Is there anything you would like to see / not see in this regard? Or is there anything you would like me to say when i'm over there?

Any discussion would be great.

(Ps. What do you guys think of the whole thing? Do you think it's neccessary?)

[Kimm]

I think its a good idea for some things. I dont think people should share addresses or anything with people they just know over the net.

Im not a child but I have had several guys pm me their phone number. I never called any of them so I dont know if theyre real but they probably were. I have also been given addresses for correspondence but Im not into that either.

A private message to a profile is as much contact as you need. And adults should try to supervise too.

Thats the whole thing that happens on the TV show Dateline they catch child predators by basically entrapment. But entrapment is all right in that case because bad people deserve to be entrapped.

Somehow little kids should be prevented from being on said adult sites. But they can get on my simply clicking that theyre of age.

Its a good question, but I dont know how you safeguard against that.

[GetZ]

Congratulations!


Personally, I don't see the internet as being any more or less dangerous than any other aspect of life. Sure, you can do a search and see things or read things or watch things that might leave quite an impression... But then, what was going through the mind of the person who did the search to begin with? A curious person is going to find things out sooner or later one way or another.

As for identity security matters, well... I've said this to people before: Stalking has been around long before the internet. You have phone numbers listed, you have a house address, your name is registered at schools, work, clubs, gyms, churches...etc. There are any number of ways to track a person without using the internet, and like I just stated: Curious minds are going to figure out how to get what they want sooner or later; A pervert or deranged person is going to hunt someone any way they can, and there are lots of ways!

The real key is that people just have to understand that the internet is precisely a piece of reality (duh?). This seems to be lost on most people who think of the net as a place to store pictures or words and videos and that once it's there they can then forget about it. Like it's "virtual reality" or something. But it's not! It exists doesn't it? It's here isn't it?

You have to be responsible for your own information. It's always been like that: Credit card numbers are easy to rip, as are social insurance numbers, as is banking information. The key is that you don't just go around posting your personal information on billboards and telephone poles, and cork boards... and youtube and facebook and myspace and flicker and photobucket... Etc.

Simple, huh? It is to me. Money! Make people afraid of something and then (magically) propose a solution for their fears (that you created) and wow, you've got yourself a never ending supply of income.

Richard Branson? Simple, huh...

I'm being a bit crass but my point is clear. You have to look at things from multiple perspectives and ask whether or not a problem really is as big as you may, at first, think it is.

I look forward to reading about your experience...


[Eh, it's late and i'm tired so my post isn't quite as thorough as i'd like it to be. I don't have anything against R.B. nor do I have anything against the concept of money. I'm merely trying to give you some perspective that you may not have considered. Buenos noches.]

{200th post... 3 1/2 years later ;D}

[Kimm]

Getz I have to say thats a very good post. Id say youre right on the mark when it comes to how stalking is nothing new.
I agree more than not about that. The internet has made things more convenient for good and bad. For good mostly.

But yes it does introduce some worry. Like everything. Im sure more people have died in car crashes than ever died in horse carriage accidents, but it took hours or days to travel instead of minutes or hours.

More progress has been made by motorized transportation but the danger of higher speeds, more mass of unit and more people traveling at the same time has also increased danger. I think my observation is similar to what Getz is saying.

Theres somewhat more risk but there is far more advantage to advancements in society.

[Phil]

I know there's not much you can do in a dangerous world other than be careful.

The 1 thing I can do is pay attention to what sites my son is a member of. Granted you can't watch kids at every moment but I'm a pretty allert father I know that for sure.

Perhaps suggest the watchful eye

Can you really hide on this guy?

[aido179]

getz: firstly thanks!
secondly, it's not that the internet is the most dangerous of all places, its simply that it could be safer. It's like how cars are always being improved upon for safer outer boadies and seat belts. the iyac (i presume) is planning to make that seat belt a reality.
Yes I understand that different perspectives are needed also.
a child could possible search 2g1p after seeing something on youtube and thinking it must be something cool, but infact its disturbed.

kim: I see where your comming from.

phil:Atm, being a good parent is all a parent can do. net nanny's can't catch everything.

[Blastgirl]

I think Aido179 and GetZ have good points there's just as much danger going out in society everyday as there is surfing the net.

Phil is also right too though your kids can more easily find things you might not want them to find. But you can't really lock yourself in a closet forever either. You do have to take some risks in order to live life.

[aido179]

just a little update. im going to meet the ireland organiser tomorow to talk about the whole thing. so its comming along

[Blastgirl]

That's very cool. What decisions do you get to make concerning IYAC options?

[Phil]

Theres some things that are just superficial when it comes to a safeguard.

Granted I am not a guy to build a fence around every single thing. But when it says 'don't click this link if you're not at least 18 years old.'

Well I sure hope that underage people know they're not suppose to click the link. I am sure nobody ever does. *wink wink*

I dont' think everything needs multiple passwords either though sometimes they go too far the other way.

[aido179]

bg: options? tbh, I dont know very much about what we'll be doing over there if thats what you mean. there are plans of the whole thing being video taped.

phil: true!

[Classicblast]

Hi aido. I think she meant what decisions do you get to make?

Its great that you have been selected for this it's awesome. My sons are younger than Phil's kids so they're not surfing the net yet but they will be soon enough so I agree there should be some standards but not necessarily lock the whole thing down to the point where you have to scan your drivers license to get on a site to check your age and now it knows your name license number and address, obviously I wouldn't want to want that.

There's enough big brother in everybody's life already. Hahaha. My 2 big brothers have been watching me for 33 years. hahaha.