Freedom of Information vs Right to Privacy

[Woodruff]

It's called parenting.

BULL Its called forcing everyone to be more of an expert on computers than the computer companies themselves.

If you think it's too dangerous for your kids to be online, then don't let them get online. A parent still has the authority in the household and can't be forced to allow the kids to do something. There is no reason for the government to come in and mandate everything.

Why is it that you believe a child will not do a thing simply because a parent tells them not to do that thing?

[Woodruff]

Also, why not teach your kid to use the Internet more responsibly, instead of severely restricting his access to it, (which wont teach him much)?

Yay!

[Woodruff]

It's called parenting.

BULL Its called forcing everyone to be more of an expert on computers than the computer companies themselves.


My son is not allowed on the computer without us there, but there is no way, short of physically removing the modem to keep him off it when we are not directly there. Do that, and it does nothing to protect him at friend's houses.

As a result, our son does not have access to the computer most of the time. As a result, his friends are getting more adept than he, and therefore, should they survive the pitfalls, will wind up ahead in school, etc over my son.. because we chose to protect him.

NOPE, its not about simply parenting.

Every single computer comes built-in with parental controls so you can limit access to certain sites automatically. You can also buy programs that limit sites and send data to you to review what is being browsed on you computer by certain users. And all this is being done by the free market without government mandates. It's YOUR job to look after your kids, not the government's job.

All of this information is irrelevant unless you chain your child to the home.

[Symmetry]

That's the thing about privacy. Once you release information to one party, they are public, with very few exceptions. And,for all this hoopla about this case, the truth is that a lot of people give out far more on Youtube, Facebook, etc every day. If you want a real threat to privacy, its that... and people joing those things willingly.

Indeed, and even more so in a public court case. Agree to make your finances public and they will be public. I'd be more disturbed if the evidence for Zimmerman's bail being revoked was kept locked and hidden.

[PLAYER57832]

It's called parenting.

BULL Its called forcing everyone to be more of an expert on computers than the computer companies themselves.


My son is not allowed on the computer without us there, but there is no way, short of physically removing the modem to keep him off it when we are not directly there. Do that, and it does nothing to protect him at friend's houses.

As a result, our son does not have access to the computer most of the time. As a result, his friends are getting more adept than he, and therefore, should they survive the pitfalls, will wind up ahead in school, etc over my son.. because we chose to protect him.

NOPE, its not about simply parenting.

Every single computer comes built-in with parental controls so you can limit access to certain sites automatically. You can also buy programs that limit sites and send data to you to review what is being browsed on you computer by certain users. And all this is being done by the free market without government mandates. It's YOUR job to look after your kids, not the government's job.

All of this information is irrelevant unless you chain your child to the home.

Prety much answers BBS's point, too.

And, the thing is, none of that is really as easy to use as all that, particularly if you were not fortunate enough to have been educated about computers.. either because (as was my case), you went to school before they were really prolific (though I JUST missed the boom...) OR becuase you don't go to a school that has them or live near a library that provides them readily. In many cases, kids are not allowed to do more than very basic surfs on the web, and even adults are not allowed to really manipulate library computers.

Computers are cheap now, but just being able to buy one does not mean you can use all the functions. And companies like Microsoft, Google, Facebook have already demonstrated that they will ONLY even let people know how their information is being used IF the people go to a lot of hassle to unite and protest. That is, only AFTER harm has been caused!

This is not about individual freedom, it is about a few skilled computer folks stomping on average people's protections and the sitting back and claiming "well.. they should have just known better" Bad enough when its adults. Criminal when it harms kids for life.