And educate the parents on the risks, and their responsibilities. Parents are the ones who should be watching their kids, not the government.

And educate the parents on the risks, and their responsibilities. Parents are the ones who should be watching their kids, not the government.

You and I agree. Age verification on a free general population social network isn’t possible for children.

I suspect that is why MySpace suggested a task force on the issue. If all experts agree that it can’t be done and still maintain a free, anonymous network, perhaps USA Today-type comments will cease, or at least be taken with a grain of salt.

I devote my life ot this issue. I shut down my law firm to donate my time ot making sure that everyone, especially children, are safer online.

If there were a system that would work for rich and poor children, without having to obtain parental consent (many wouldn’t know how to consent and wouldn’t bother, sicne social networking is not a priority), I would be it’s biggest proponent. Everytime I appear on the Today Show, Good Morning America, or am quoted somewhere, tech companies contact me with the solution.” Mainly these are rehashed versions of old and failed systems, some ignore the law and security, but noe are the answer.

The answer is creating networks designed for kids, that contains kids favrite things ot do, to draw them away from the general audience sites, like MySpace, and into safer environments that have monitors, safeguards and security.

Then we need to make sure that kids look out for each other online, know where to report bad actors, and what to do to protect themselves.

Those are two solutions. Not perfect. But effective.

Best.
Parry Aftab
WiredSafety.org
The Privacy Lawyer

You and I agree. Age verification on a free general population social network isn’t possible for children.

I suspect that is why MySpace suggested a task force on the issue. If all experts agree that it can’t be done and still maintain a free, anonymous network, perhaps USA Today-type comments will cease, or at least be taken with a grain of salt.

I devote my life ot this issue. I shut down my law firm to donate my time ot making sure that everyone, especially children, are safer online.

If there were a system that would work for rich and poor children, without having to obtain parental consent (many wouldn’t know how to consent and wouldn’t bother, sicne social networking is not a priority), I would be it’s biggest proponent. Everytime I appear on the Today Show, Good Morning America, or am quoted somewhere, tech companies contact me with the solution.” Mainly these are rehashed versions of old and failed systems, some ignore the law and security, but noe are the answer.

The answer is creating networks designed for kids, that contains kids favrite things ot do, to draw them away from the general audience sites, like MySpace, and into safer environments that have monitors, safeguards and security.

Then we need to make sure that kids look out for each other online, know where to report bad actors, and what to do to protect themselves.

Those are two solutions. Not perfect. But effective.

Best.
Parry Aftab
WiredSafety.org
The Privacy Lawyer