A visit from BBC

Today we were visited by Jim Flemming from The BBC who was interested in finding ways to keep children who visit their website, safe online.

In today's society, it's easy for users of most ages to pose online as a person of a different age or gender. But how safe is too safe? The overload of security could prove to be a negative and as Jim stated - the security of the BBC offer a very high standard of security and online safety.

Who are we really talking too?

It's important that website's such as the BBC maintain an outstanding reputation - but could doing this jeopardize the child online presence? How can we keep children safe online but still allow them to have some freedom, as well as encorouging parent's to know their children are safe?

Sign Up: When users decide to join up to CBBC - they must supply an email for their parent's that will be sent out for approval of acceptance. Although CBBC do not have any intention of putting their members at risk - it is not always possible for them to stop every detail that could be negative on the site, so it should be important for the parent's to be allowed to view the terms and conditions and accept or decline.

Filters: I done some research and went on different chatroom's and forum's to see how they operated with people trying to surpass filters in code. For example, the Habbo Hotel - a game that allows children (as well as people of any change) to engage in an online presence and create their own character. I spent an hour on this second-world-site trying to learn about the boundaries and safety this site offers. The site offers filters for email's, addresses, phone numbers, and swear words - but the filtering lack's a strong base. I found that people were sharing their email addresses through code - but is it too impossible for a moderator to stop this behaviour? For example email addresses such as "ryangavanmediablogathoootmaaaildotcom" would pass the filter and allow this personal information to be distributed to anyone viewing that page. This could arguably be stopped by the presence of 24-hour moderators, and even internet tools that administators and moderators could use to delete coded information as soon as it's posted.

Banning: On children's site's such as The BBC - It's too risky to allow  many chances - children will not always know the dangers of posting information such as address' and location's - and this could end up with huge consequences. The only way to express this could be by placing permanent bans instantly if such personal information such as personal details including address' are publically broadcasted. For the type's distribution of email address' - I personally feel taking a way this right is not allowing children to engage fully with the social world that they will eventually be introduced too. Their could be children out their who do not have many friends, who just want somebody to talk to. If somebody posts their email address - I feel it would be fair for a moderator to instantly message the user and go over the rules, explaining the possible dangers of distributing some information.

X Factor USA finalist: Stacy Francis
gives website viewers exclusive web-
chat

Celebrity Webchats: Whilst browing through the Habbo Hotel site I discovered they invite celebrity guests to participate as a character on the game. Previous visitors include US singer Stacey Orrico and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks. Here is a list of past and future guest's appearing. I'm aware CBBC offer exclusive webchat's too their audience - allowing them to have the reality of speaking to a celebrity which is incredible.

I found this page on the CBBC site of interest. It's a link expressing what BBC can and cannot accept action for - which could be provided under the terms and conditions.

CBBC list rules of how people should treat the site. It could be of interest for the creators to allow a comment board strictly for parent's to engage in, and talk about other worries and concerns they do not want to appear on the site - that way, it is allowing the parent's to have a say and showing that The BBC are acknowledging and showing a huge interest of safety.