Re: [LM_NET] ELEM: My Space

[Robert Eiffert <beiffert@COMCAST.NET>]

In May, I wrote a short piece about blocking sites like MySpace on my 
blog. It addresses home and school use as well as student writing.

We should be thinking about our role as educators and mentors. I’d 
rather focus on teaching (kids and parents) appropriate use and 
developing a dialog with our kids about their responsibilities when online.

Beyond the scope of making this decision would be doing some thinking 
about why so many kids are creating their own space on xanga, 
LiveJournal, BlogSpot, Blogger, mySpace, and the myriad of other sites. 
<http://www.beiffert.net/wordpress/intellectual-freedom/blocking-blogs/#more-59>

Robert Eiffert
Librarian, Pacific MS  Vancouver WA
pac.egreen.wednet.edu/library beiffert@egreen.wednet.edu
Librarian in the Middle Blog: beiffert.net  robert@beiffert.net



Jennifer Podolsky wrote:

>Hi Everyone
> I have had a recent problem in my school with students accessing
>MySpace.com. I know some people have mentioned blogs, but this one in
>particular lets you post pictures, etc. The problem is- my kids are getting
>around the filtering, accessing and posting their pictures (they are only in
>6-8 grade!) and also I found that some boys were looking at nude pics posted
>there (so of course parents are in an uproar).
> My question(s) is(are): has anyone else had problems with MySpace or other
>blog sites? How have you dealt with it when inappropriate material was
>accessed through the school library? And finally- how do we encourage
>parents and teachers not to be afraid of technology while at the same time
>blocking sites like myspace because students can access potentially
>offensive material?
> Any thoughts on this are appreciated. I work in a very small school and
>community and one inappropriate picture is already turning into a big deal
>"how could you let them look at that during your class?" (as if I accessed
>the site for them or something).
> Thanks!
> Jennifer Podolsky
>SLMS
>Califon School, NJ
>scenn72@gmail.com
>
>  
>

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