Re: Net photos
Steve Cobb (scobb@EZNET.NET)
Tue, 29 Dec 1998 07:51:01 -0500
To save space I'm combining two replies
Bruce said in part
<snip>
I think a far more worthwhile method of
dealing with this is for parents to be extremely conscious of what their
children are doing online, teach their children NOT to interact in person
with people they've met on the net, and, once again, make sure they know how
to recognize, resist and report.
<snip>
I may be cynical about some parents but, one of the biggest reasons that I
stay involved in Scouts is that there are many parents that are too focused
(in my opinion) on making the almighty dollar to pay as much attention as
they should to what little Jonny is doing with his friends after school. I
feel that providing a "safe haven" and good role model for them is worth
the sacrifice of a little time.
Before I got back into Scouting I worked ever overtime hour I could for a
year, until one night as I was going to bed, 2 hours before my 10 yr. old,
he asked me "Why are you working so much? We never see you." The OT stopped
that week. It's been tough at times but worth it. I can always work more
after they're gone. Probably not because I now have 15 more "boys".
These are the same parents who hardly slow down when dropping their son off
at the meetings. The same ones which are almost impossible to get to help.
I will not accept a boy into my unit just because mom and dad don't help. I
will just keep on calling them and asking for help here and there and hope
they say yes sometime.
I have a few boys in my unit who were overheard by my wife talking about
drinking and telling my son that they couldn't believe he had never been
drunk. They were 13 at the time and they said that their parents were
upstairs at the time. So on the next campout the campfire subject some how
got to be about drinking and why I stopped. Very subtly of course. I'm not
saying these boys stopped but I had to give it a try. One is still in
Scouts and has changed (grown up?) a lot in the last 3 years.
On another subject Paul said in part
<snip>
So, in my opinion, both sides of the debate are valid (although the word
"paranoia" connotes a delusional fear and is certainly too harsh for this
discussion).
<snip>
This reminded me of a saying popular in the 60's.......
"Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not out to get you."
A little paranoia is sometimes a good thing. It's when we carry it too far
that it is bad.
Keeping children's last names off a web page is not unreasonable. After all
anyone that needs to know their last name is already involved in the unit or
knows little Billy from school.
I feel that websites are great tools for recruiting and information for
the parents and Scout age children. We just need to give it some thought as
we go along.
That's enough for now. If I've offended anyone, please re-read my posting
before flaming me. This is only my opinion and may change without notice.
YIS
Steve Cobb
scobb@eznet.net
SM Troop 42
"I used to be an Eagle"
OA Brotherhood
Iroquois Trail Council
District Boy Scout Training Chairman
Webmaster Iroquois Trail Council
http://freenet.buffalo.edu/~iroquois/
Since light travels faster than sound, isn't that why some people appear
bright until you hear them speak?
