Banning Facebook
May 14, 2010 by Kathy McManus
A middle school principal’s call to ban students from Facebook left some people wondering if social media use isn’t a matter of parental responsibility rather than the school’s.
Principal Anthony Orsini’s email to the Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Ridgewood, New Jersey, urged parents “to take down their children’s online profiles on Facebook and elsewhere,” reported Jason Kessler at CNN.com. “There is absolutely no reason for any middle school student to be part of a social networking site!” Orsini wrote, saying that so-called tweens “are simply not psychologically ready for the damage that one mean person online can cause,” and that the threat from adult internet predators “is insignificant compared to the damage that children at this age constantly and repeatedly do to one another through social networking sites.”
Parents from as far away as Israel and Korea emailed Orsini to thank him, CNN reported, “for saying something.” But closer to home, parents on Babble.com were saying something else. “Get back to teaching,” wrote one, “and quit trying to usurp my authority.” Said another, “A school has no right to tell my child what he can and cannot do on his own time, in his own home.” With this kind of “intrusion,” one asked, “will you stand for the school telling you” what video games and music “your child is permitted to play at home?”
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21 Comments
What do you think? Leave a comment
May 15, 2010 by Davi
The teacher has freedom of speech. He can suggest whatever the h*** he wants to. He's not FORCING the parents to do anything, so really they have no right to complain. Once he starts hacking into profiles and/or deleting them, then I will protest.
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May 18, 2010 by Sara Langford
Its not veary nice to curse and i totaly disagree with you.
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May 17, 2010 by Shera
Aren't these parents illustrating exactly what Principal Orsini wrote, saying that so-called tweens “are simply not psychologically ready for the damage that one mean person online can cause.” He put out his professional, educated opinion (which in a court would probably label him an 'expert'), and he is completely blasted! So many parents expect schools to feed their children, babysit their children, pay attention to all the myriad needs of their children... how can they expect the schools to do all of these parental duties - yes, Parental Duties! - and yet resent when something harmful is brought to their attention? They ought to feel blessed that Principal Orsini is involved enough to be concerned about the children's welfare! These people who get so overwrought about such trivialities... well, they strike me as being defensive because they are not paying attention to their kids and they resent having something they've neglected being pointed out to them. They use computers and social media the way the past generation used television: as a babysitter, taking up the kid's time so the parent can do whatever else.
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May 18, 2010 by Sara Langford
Your right!!
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June 3, 2010 by S.
Well, said!! Thanks, you could have been reading my mind!
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September 1, 2010 by w w w
i agree with that statement as well....we have become weak...i would not be surprised if one the parents tried to sue the school for personal gain..If this principal brought this up then it must be a problem at school....i think one of the parents said get back to teaching....Maybe if little Johnny left his blackberry at home they could...i disagree with making them have to delete their profiles its their right to have it but at school they should play by the schools rules and by their parents rules at home....Maybe if our government paid our teachers as much as they allow pharmecudical companies to make off of health care we would be in better shape....
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May 18, 2010 by Sara Langford
Facebook is a safe web site were people and childern at least 10 or older can keep in touch with family whom live far from there destition. My mom loves facebook and its a great way for her to keep in touch with my brother who lives in AthensG. and while we live in Biloxi Missississippi. Its a veary clean and easy website. And it seems your afraid for the little ones They can always ignore a friend request or set there page to privaet or there parents should supervise over them. If any web site should be banned it should be Myspace. Its a veary unclean and veary unsafe website. Im only 12 Years old but i still have my own opinouns, ( Im so sorry about my spelling)
With Love AND advise...
Sara Langford
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May 26, 2010 by Nataly
I think your right! They can just block or report a person too. That principal can't tell them what to do outside of school!
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June 3, 2010 by S.
Let me clear something up. I don't believe in a ban but parents should take this principal's advice and get their kids off the computer and interacting face to face! There is something to be said for the social networking site as the comment above states but it has gotten to the point of replacing good old fashion social networking. Some of those cyber bullies couldn't be bullies if they had to look the person in the face. They tend to be cowards when they actually have to be in the presence of a live human being. The facebook network provides a shield of anonymity for those bullies. We also need to empower children to know that "sticks and stones may hurt my bones but words will never hurt me!" They don't have to believe what those other children say about them. Children need to be encouraged to come up with their own opinion of themselves and not allow others to shape their opinion of themselves-good or bad.
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May 30, 2010 by lewis sadowsky
I THNIK & FEEL THAT SOME OF THE WORDS / OR PHRAASES THAT ARE USED ON THE FACEBOOK SITE ARE VERY HARSH TO SOME PEOPLE AND THIS SITE ISNT GOOD FOR THEM
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July 22, 2010 by Darrell Whitley
There are pros and cons when it comes to social media or network sites. Though they are relevant to the times we live in for social communication. They are not to be compared to the direct face to face interaction that has not been void of physical touch.There's nothing like being able to see human reaction and body language. They also have increased the vulnerability of users to cyberbullying, and online sexual and financial predators hiding behind the stroke of the keyboard. So with this all in mind, know that one must be mindful at protecting there young ones in reference to the internet as they would if they were out on the streets. Let's get back to parenting , so we don't have to be offended when our shortcomings are pointed out to us. When we are not teaching our children what is right ,we have no room for firing off at someone that shows concern about the future of generations to come. Our ignorance has stiffled a Nation to the lack of morals today which has surfaced in the actions of this society.
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August 5, 2010 by Mikev
hello, I've I've sent a two questions by e-mail, and appreciate if you could respond to me. I'd like to see what other people are asking as well. Is this a good place to post, or is there a forum somewhere else? Thanks
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August 11, 2010 by Steve Kertesz
I somewhat agree with the first comment of, the teacher/principal has a right to free speech and "suggest" anything they want. However, saying that middle school aged kids are not "psychologically" ready for the adult internet is a crock. If they are not ready for the internet, how are they ready for the actual cruel world? Hello people, this world that we live in is horrible whether people hide behind a computer screen or in an alley. Now i do definately agree with the schools, have NO right whatsoever to attempt to control what children do on their own time.
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September 6, 2010 by Tony
I totally agree with Mr. Orsini on banning FB. In addition, parents should manage their children who are in college misusing FB. FB is great tool if it is use right however children who are immature, misguided and misusing cause greater problem for themselves, their family and eventually the society as whole.
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September 6, 2010 by Tony
It is obvious either you don't have teenagers/kids or blessed with great kids. Those of us "Parents" who are tied with kids with problems and loving their children to the right way. I am sorry if I am too critical with your words.
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September 12, 2010 by cheri
I have been in the tech field for a number of years now. I raised my family and had no skills . I had a old pc and sat at my kitchen table for almost a year working on it .. upgrading it . It did not even have windows on it. I was not a good student in school and if i would have had the internet it would have made such a difference. Do people realize we dont have to wait for a answer on anything anymore? Yes, we do need to decifer between sites and correct info. I have relatives children around all the time and hear mom gripe about the kids on the pc playing games. Well yes they are fun and if i can learn while having fun all the better. Go play the Game World of warcraft. It is a hard game. The reading .. maps .. strategy learning how to set settings on the game... the list goes on and on . The Brain is working hard and having a blast doing it. .. If one is interested in something even if it is not what the teacher has assigned it does not mean that child is not learning . I am alone now and am so thankful for the time i have spent with computers. Wow .. I broke a few of them .. but I learned .. from the problems. No money will do that. I was a woman in this field when it mostly was male dominated. I went to college when i was older .. High school was a blur of drugs and Mom wanting me out of the house. Yeahhh .. TV was not healthy,, sunshine and exercise.. . Well it was Beer and sunshine. Wish i would have had the internet then ..I am thankful to be able to find answers .. pay bills and not have to spend gas to do it. GPS and maps we dont get lost anymore. Think about this stuff people. . I do find that most of the times the people that are so against pc's are the ones that are tech illiterate. That is ok.. just dont make a rule based on fear of the unknown. Hey sit down and do a paper or play a game with your child. Dont take this away from your kids .. I do believe it will be a huge disservice. They will be behind as technology moves forward..
Ohhh.. One area i can say that is not a positive thing is .. spelling . .. Spell checking has hurt a bit. .... Well it is ok .. i am not going to enter any spelling bee's at 50. ... I look up and see the statements about FB. I found my childhood friends that lived on my block. . 16 of us ...are having a block party .the memories have come flooding back . this would have never happened without FB. .. IS the glass half Empty or full? Remember we teach our children also .. Everything in Moderation... to much can be a bad thing . so can not enough. ...Live... Love and Learn .
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October 16, 2010 by buy kinect
Hi, This is a inquiry for the webmaster/admin here at www.responsibilityproject.org.
May I use some of the information from your blog post above if I give a link back to this site?
Thanks, James
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October 24, 2010 by buy kinect
Hello, This is a question for the webmaster/admin here at www.responsibilityproject.org.
Can I use part of the information from your post right above if I give a backlink back to this website?
Thanks, John
Reply
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