Joceylyn's Kids....ALL of 'EM! :)

TT, I'm not a fanatic. I think reasonable precautions are acceptable. I don't think Jocelyn crossed the line (again assuming she has parental permission to post those pictures). At least the last time I looked, the kids' names weren't under their pictures or anything and they were using her login info. Obviously it's outside of Jimmy's comfort level and I think he has the right to say so, though if it were me I might have chosen a pm and a more diplomatic message. I think his concern is valid, but I wish it was presented in a less shocking way.

As far as actual danger, well, I once had an out-of-state friend show up unexpectedly on my doorstep. He was on a business trip and had my address, so he looked up directions from the hotel to my house on the internet and it took him right to my door. It was quite a surprise. So I figure, if he can do it, anybody can do it, and that includes the wierdos. I imagine most molesters abuse whoever is nearest that they have the most access to, but obsessions do happen too.

Though I enjoyed seeing those pics of those kind-hearted kids, nice candids of kids acting like kids, not those posed school photos, and the kitties were lovely too.

Okay, you've lost me now. I don't understand what you're insinuating here. That last comment seems to be getting nasty and personal, so maybe a pm is in order, to the person you're talking about?

Originally posted by sunlion


As far as actual danger, well, I once had an out-of-state friend show up unexpectedly on my doorstep. He was on a business trip and had my address, so he looked up directions from the hotel to my house on the internet and it took him right to my door. It was quite a surprise. So I figure, if he can do it, anybody can do it, and that includes the wierdos. I imagine most molesters abuse whoever is nearest that they have the most access to, but obsessions do happen too.

Though I enjoyed seeing those pics of those kind-hearted kids, nice candids of kids acting like kids, not those posed school photos, and the kitties were lovely too.

Click to expand...

Sunlion,
Just to confirm your statement... "He was on a business trip and had my address, so he looked up directions from the hotel to my house on the internet and it took him right to my door.

I'm sure we can agree that none of them are holding up signs with their names and addressses on them.

Makes sense if I was looking for my kid...yeah, a catsite....hmmm...

Well, if some of the scenarios are so preposterous, why is it that many adult members are reluctant to publish location or receive email from this site (or any other)? Why do we use screen names to protect our privacy? I honestly don't think that kidnapping or molestation are the major issues here, but I do think that exposing children to content that might not be the first choice of their parents' is. You can interpret that however you like, from language and word choice to subject matter of posts, to links connecting all over the net. For example, I alone have seen the whole Bonsai kitty issue dragged up here at least 3 times. If adults have a tough time distinguishing whether or not this is a hoax, now we are expecting kids have the decision-making maturity to decide what is real and what isn't?

Deb, I doubt those kids want to read at this site...I would think that there's plenty of other sites that would be much more prererable to their reading palettes.

As far as folks finding long lost kids here...it's not the first place I'd visit, nor the second, nor the 100th for that matter.

We can debate this forever and you'll have your views and I'll keep mine. I don't think we're ever going to see eye to eye on the whole issue.

If you remember correctly, we had an 11 year old member on here at one time that I personally adored. Jenna...that was her real name. Her Mom was Jackie. They were from England...matter of fact; they didn't make a big deal about it. On occassion, I still receive mail from her.

How come this didn't affect the site then? Jenna posted frequently. I posted pics of her, her sister and her Mom. Jackie sent them to me and asked me to post them. I never heard anyone say a negative thing about it then....what's the big difference now?

Cat,
I'm sorry. I have to disagree with you. Ordinarily, I don't think a site like this would hold interest for a lot of kids. But, since they have been introduced and people have communicated with them, the equation changes.

My kids (biological) often ask to look over my shoulder. They want to see what I'm posting. They want to try out all the smilies.

We've had young members here before, posting threads like "Will somebody be my friend?" Kids, especially ones who might not get a whole lot of adult attention at home, may get attached very easily to the people who posted to them.

My biggest concern is that this whole thing was initiated without the consent of the parents. I have heard about the internet permission slips, but as far as policy goes in my district, that blanket form does not cover introducing my elementary school children to an unregulated site such as this one. Jenna is a different issue. Her mother had approved the membership. That changes everything completely.

I realize that Jenna's Mom approved, but it still remains that Jenna was exploring the site with or without her Mother's knowledge, which left the whole site open to her.

Jocelyn already had approval slips; but she went through the process again because she was harrassed and judged by a few people here that she went and spoke to the parents again today. So far, to my knowledge, she has had complete support for all the children involved.

Anyway, as I stated earlier, it's fine that we disagree, as long as it doesn't interfere with what's right for the kids. I'm not going to say who's right and who's wrong here. We both have valid points...it's just how far we are willing to go with this. In my opinion, the way Joceylyn has things set up for her students is fine. I don't see any harm in it. That's it for me folks.

(it's taking me forever to respond...it's Michael's Birthday!)

Cat

From what I understand, Jocelyn had the parents consent to not only post these childrens pictures here, but also to videotape them for a TV news special dealing with their interest in Max, or something along those lines. I don't think she posted names underneath the pictures, so I think it should be okay.

Great looking bunch of kids, by the way....smiles as big as their hearts!

TIPTOP:

I'm not sure how completely you have read the posts I have made on this subject. Let me just wrap it up by saying that in this day and age, there is a tremendous responsibility on teachers concerning liability issues concerning children.

Internet access for kids is a very touchy subject within the realm of the school system. There are already filtering programs in place to restrict access to the worst the net has to offer, but no technology is infallible.

I deal with children every single day who can't be photographed, or salute the flag, or eat a cupcake with Santa's face on it, all due to respecting the wishes of the child's primary caretaker: the parent.

When we agree to internet access, there are still limits as to what is considered acceptable by the district. I can't pull up a site like this one in my classroom, even for my own use, while children are present in the classroom. Teachers have to deal all the time with possible worst-case scenarios, because as a representative of a school district, we have to be prepared for anything. If even one parent objects to one thing on these boards, the potential for liablity is there. It could be something as innocent as a thread on the Harry Potter book series. On 9/11, we weren't allowed to have televisions on because of possible interference with exactly how much information parents may or may not have wanted their children to have.

I could continue to point out examples, but I believe I have made my position clear. Perhaps you might understand if I told you that I feel as strongly about this issue as Catarina does about her support for Max and Deneice.


Cat:

The difference to me about Jenna is that her mother signed a permission waiver with Anne. After that, whatever Jenna became exposed to was the direct responsibility of her mother. After that it merely becomes a debate between individuals of whether these boards are appropriate for kids or not. But mom gave the green light. That makes all the difference in the world to me.

Since I am the blessed subject of this discussion I will state the following. Again, I appreciate everyone's concern. Let me add that while my kids were posting, my assistant principal was in the classroom observing..In addition, my students were very involved in 9-11 and watched the events unfold on TV. My parents greatly appreciated the manner in which I dealt with that as well. I even teach using Harry Potter- do I have a couple of kids who cant read it? Yep= Do I have kids that cant say the pledge? Yep..however I refuse to destroy the teaching for the others. I spoke with a number of my parents today who were in complete support of what we are doing. Again, I am not allowing the children to view other threads on this site. Unfortunately, many of you have handled yourselves in again as with the Misstovia thread very hateful and degrading ways..I hope that my kids dont see that. Finally, whomever JIMMY is..I recall after 9-11 that a man was arrested and charged with a felony for "testing" the security in airports...your perverse attempt to act like a molester is so similar. Give me a break. I pride myself on being a strong, yet unconventional teacher. I refuse to be the teacher that is boring and straight from the book. If that offends you-TOO BAD. Again, thanks for all of your input. I know that I have done my job to the appropriate extent. Have a great night!

Done

Hey moderators...arent you the least bit concerned about the image of the site that "jimmy" is giving. Please take notice of my airline example. If I were a parent checking out this site, I would think maybe we were allowing some serious lines to be crossed. "Jimmy" I'll pray for you.

One last note, I noticed Jimmy's listed as "very near" interesting that they only came to this site for cat stuff but used that location when registering. HMMM...

Hiya folks...as you will see we are back. I have only seen one class of kids thus far and 23 have been returned...that is out of 57 students between the 2 classes. Enjoy, we will be doing more posting today. Oh and today or tommorrow we will be making a video in support of Max. Have a great day!! Jocelyn

Hi my name is Ashley.I heard about what happened to Max the Cat.I really sorry.Even though I never saw before he looks like a nice cat to me.My teacher me and my classmates that story about Max.Well I think that was a stupid reason that Mr.Lacy had ran back to his house and got a golfcluff ,and Max down like that.When Mrs.Shilling toled us that I almost cried and I was very mad.I was so mad when she got done reading ,I was inmagnnig that I was Max I closed my eyes and I was Max and Mr.Lacy came runing at me and started hitting me.So now I know well I think I know how Max felt.Max looked and sound like a real nice cat.Well I'm thinking that Max is inecent to me.Because all he did was scratch one of his dogs.Even though Mr.Lacy shouldn't have been TRESPASSING anyway.And when Max tried to climb a fence and he broke his fingernails thats when it broke my heart.
:angel2: :girly1:

Jocelyn,

You need to use the Thread that the kids started posting on. This is not the same Thread. Yours is the "Sticky" right at the top of the page

Cat

Thanks Cat! I had a blonde moment (great, now I will be criticized for that too). Anyway, I appreciate you informing me..I will fix this. By the way, we are up to 28 permission slips

Fantastic!!!