Re: Scout Names on Websites?
Kim Hannemann (khannemann@WORLDBANK.ORG)
Thu, 24 Oct 1996 12:52:19 +0000
You know, all the talk about Scout names on websites really frightens
me. Here are some further tips to protect the kids:
*Whenever the local paper takes a photo of your Scout group, be sure
that all the kids have bags over their heads, and use phony names so
no bad person might seek them out.
*When they are working at a Presidential Inauguration or similar
event, be sure that the cameras are never pointed at them, and of
course, they may not be interviewed with any reference to their name
or unit (someone with evil intent might find out where the unit meets
and loiter outside hoping to "pick up" an unwary Scout).
*It's a good idea not to let them go outside to play, or go to school
where they might come in contact with undesirables - better to keep
them inside your home, or at least by your side at all times.
*If they do go to school, on no account let them be photographed for
the yearbook because you don't know whose hands it might fall into.
[tongue out of cheek, and I don't mean to offend a lot of very
well-meaning people]
Bob Myers's post has it about right:
"IMO, teaching our kids to fear a major part of their future, the
internet, is not wise. Let's get over our fear of the dark and try
not to teach it to our youth. IMO, paranoia is simply not healthy.
Let's find out what the facts are and deal with that."
Chat rooms and IRC may be a problem. Parents should be responsible
for controlling their childrens' online activities. But chat rooms
have nothing to do with names on web sites.
Email also may occasionally be a vehicle for building undeserved
trust. But, again, parents should be responsible for controlling
their childrens' online activities, and email has nothing to do with
names on web sites.
Bill Deady mentioned "compelling reasons" - a legitimate point. Why
put the kids' names on the sites? Mainly because the kids like to see
them there. It builds their sense of association with the group, and
gives them a feeling of esteem to see their names in "print". And for
maintaining a current roster accessible to troop members all the time
it is hard to beat. This doesn't work with just first names in a
large troop, though for labeling photos, first names are usually just
as effective and shorter.
Phone numbers/addresses? Maybe not a good idea - though most schools
(PTAs) in this area issue directories with the kids' info. Telephone
harassment is much more likely to be local than long-distance, and if
its local then the info is already available to any baddie who wants
it enough. Right now we are not listing phone numbers on our web
site, but we might later on when our members' web use grows.
Like Bob says, let's get the facts.
Kim Hannemann
khannemann@worldbank.org
Troop 1140, Springfield, VA
www.geocities.com/yosemite/2801
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
