Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
Has anyone in California seen this little tidbit? There is a bill in the California State Senate which
...could force Facebook and other social-networking sites to change their privacy protection policies under a first-of-its-kind proposal at the state Capitol that is opposed by much of the Internet industry.
Under the proposal, SB242, social-networking sites would have to allow users to establish their privacy settings - like who could view their profile and what information would be public to everyone on the Internet - when they register to join the site instead of after they join. Sites would also have to set defaults to private so that users would choose which information is public.
In addition to making the registration default a complete security lockdown, SB242 would give parents rights to get in and edit their minor children's accounts.
While I admit that the fact that this bill is being brought to the table by a "wascally Dem," an automatic showstopper in my book, as a parent, I do find myself leaning in with a favorable ear. I want the legal ability to be able to get into my minor children's FB accounts and do some housekeeping just as I would do in my own home.
What say you, fellow Ricocheteers? Where do you come down on this? Am I off my rocker? Help me get a little perspective here.
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May '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
I strongly disapprove. If you want to control their access, control their access. They're your kids, not mine or anyone else's.
The intertubes mean nothing if not unfettered. That is the point. Once you let the gummint regulate them, they won't stop at "protecting the kids."
May '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
What about the legal right to access your minor child's account? As things stand in CA, parents do not even have the legal right to be notified that their minor daughter is planning to or has had an abortion.
Apr '11
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
I agree with Kennedy. When it's a question whether or not to support a regulation, lean on the side of liberty. This is something that you can easily do yourself. Get your own Facebook page, then friend your kids so you can see what they're putting up. As far as editing your kids' accounts, well, they're your kids. I'm sure you can find a program that will let you do that. It's not up to the government to make sure people don't do stupid things on Facebook.
Jun '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
Felicia, I am probably not qualified to address your query, given that I don't do Facebook. However, for what it is worth, if/when my kids get on Facebook, there will be parental access and supervision, or they won't be on Facebook. As far as the privacy settings, while I would prefer to control profile settings before "going live" the first time, that ship has probably sailed. Although such a customer-oriented posture would be welcome.
That said, I agree with Kennedy - using legislation to force the issue is the wrong way to go.
Aug '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
On the one hand, my knee-jerk emotional response is that I like the idea that people should have default privacy protection BEFORE they hand over their personal information.
On the other hand, I think it would be sufficient to make sites offer up "terms of use" and privacy agreements before the user hands over their personal information. If the user doesn't read the whole agreement before clicking "agree", that's their own fault and I have zero sympathy.
On the third hand (Where the hell did that come from?! Why is that growing there?! I gotta see my doctor!!!!) that implies that every website would be legally obligated to offer up these sorts of agreements before taking any user's personal information. I don't like the idea that the government could force me to have users sign a privacy agreement on my personal website before they can send me a freakin' email, out of fear that I might spam them later on.
If this sort of legislation is acceptable, why should the phone book be allowed to list my home address and phone number by default?
Why aren't unlisted phone numbers the legal default?
Aug '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
I like FeliciaB's compromise. Don't force companies to give parents control by default, but do force companies to give parents of minor children access if requested by the parents themselves.
I also might be open to requiring parental approval for any minor opening an account on an online service (that would include obtaining an email address). Minors need parental consent for all sorts of activities that are arguably less dangerous than having a Facebook account or an email address.
After all, minors cannot have their own real-world address without a guardian's consent, so why should they have an online address without a guardian's consent.
In short, the proposed CA law goes too far, but I can see lots of reasonable ways that parents can be given more legal power over their children's online presence. I just don't want to the state to have more legal power over my online presence.
May '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
Okay, y'all are doing a good job reinforcing my desire to keep gov't regulation out of private businesses. However, I keep thinking back to the Do Not Call list, which was gov't instituted, and boy have I really come to love that one! I no longer get those pesky, annoying phone calls from telemarketers. In fact, the one time I did get a telemarketing call, I just brought up that little regulation, and I didn't even have to say good-bye nicely before the phone call was ended from the caller's side.
Plus, what about laws/regulations which reinforce a parent's legal right to be involved in their minor child's life? I'm wondering if codifying such laws are a waste of time or do they serve a purpose to affirm society's values of parental rights? I'm not a legal expert, nor have I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express (stole that one from Dave Carter), but I'm trying to get a handle on our fab legal system.
Oct '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
Felicia,
I do not know, and I have pretty much given up caring what "the legal system" has to say about the privacy rights of children. In our home, children have no "right to privacy" that extends to electronic devices. We monitor every computer and electronic communication device in our home and insist on full disclosure as a condition of use. This is the case with adults in the work place, why should it be different with children in the home? They do not own the equipment or pay the bills for the services they are using.
Edited on May 17, 2011 at 4:14pmMay '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
Oh, I agree wholeheartedly, Good Berean! My kidlets do not have an expectation of the "right to privacy" in my home, either. I am actually thinking about the State of California's position of reinforcing my parental rights in this situation. Apparently, and correct me if I've misunderstood, Facebook doesn't seem to have it as common policy that parents have automatic rights to go in and edit their minor offspring's accounts.
Oct '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
I wouldn't look for much support in that direction. I am not sure what Facebook's policy is. I do know what mine is: do it my way or no Facebook for you, period, end of story.
May '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
Good Berean
I wouldn't look for much support in that direction. I am not sure what Facebook's policy is. I do know what mine is: do it my way or no Facebook for you, period, end of story.
Law or no law, I'm sure everyone in this room would have an excellent system in place for protecting their children. Exactly as you and Good Berean have. Legislation like this is for people who don't have control over their children's environment and if that's the case then legislation isn't going to help them get there. So, I don't really see it helping us as much as having a potential to hurt us, as Kennedy pointed out. And I know you're tweaking the bill purely for discussion here, but, in reality, limited legislation like that doesn't happen. They always over reach. It's in their DNA.
Sep '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
As Emily Littlela said..... nevermind...
Edited on May 18, 2011 at 6:14amOct '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
Andrea Ryan
Good Berean
I wouldn't look for much support in that direction. I am not sure what Facebook's policy is. I do know what mine is: do it my way or no Facebook for you, period, end of story.
Law or no law, I'm sure everyone in this room would have an excellent system in place for protecting their children. Exactly as you and Good Berean have. Legislation like this is for people who don't have control over their children's environment and if that's the case then legislation isn't going to help them get there. So, I don't really see it helping us as much as having a potential to hurt us, as Kennedy pointed out. And I know you're tweaking the bill purely for discussion here, but, in reality, limited legislation like that doesn't happen. They always over reach. It's in their DNA. · May 18 at 4:57am
Very well said, Andrea. Double like for you!
May '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
Good Berean
Andrea Ryan
Good Berean
I wouldn't look for much support in that direction. I am not sure what Facebook's policy is. I do know what mine is: do it my way or no Facebook for you, period, end of story.
Law or no law, I'm sure everyone in this room would have an excellent system in place for protecting their children. Exactly as you and Good Berean have. Legislation like this is for people who don't have control over their children's environment and if that's the case then legislation isn't going to help them get there. So, I don't really see it helping us as much as having a potential to hurt us, as Kennedy pointed out. And I know you're tweaking the bill purely for discussion here, but, in reality, limited legislation like that doesn't happen. They always over reach. It's in their DNA. · May 18 at 4:57am
Very well said, Andrea. Double like for you! · May 18 at 1:26pm
Yeah! I've never been double liked before. :-)
Jul '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
Felicia, neither of the basic proposals from the bill you mentioned seem unreasonable to me.
But am I the only one whose head nearly exploded upon reading the following?
The legislation would require that privacy controls be explained in "plain language." Willful violations of the law would result in a $10,000 fine for each violation.
Aside from the ludicrous hypocrisy required for Legislators to demand plain language from anyone, how likely is it that the best means for getting plain language from corporations is to involve their lawyers via threat of a fine?
Edited on May 18, 2011 at 3:35pmJun '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
I like the idea of privacy by default, and I'd go further as say that it should be locked in unless you opt out. Changing the terms of service and releasing information you thought was protected without your permission is underhanded to say the least, and so common for facebook that it's become legendary.
Jan '11
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
I think you would be sending the message that your children's privacy from you is not valued at all by you. I'm not suggesting, however, that you do not use your leverage to compel your children to share, though; leverage is a part of life. It could sound like this: "No, you do not have to share with me the things you post on the Internet. But if you do not, and I suspect that you're up to no good or engaging in activities that could harm you or anyone else in this household, I'm blocking your MAC Address from the modem/router."
The proposed legislation is not necessary, in my opinion. It seems to be just another case of a government (fortunately only a state government) wanting to take its citizens by the hand and be our nanny. Not necessary at all.
Edited on May 18, 2011 at 5:08pmMay '10
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
Uh huh, uh huh. I'm listening. I think I'm almost thinking clearly. There's just this little niggling... desire for the law to back up how I think companies should treat me. Yes, yes. I am one of the first people to communicate with private companies when I feel policies are substandard. However, sometimes my internal college liberal keeps rearing it's immature self.
Case in point: Back in the 90's, California passed a law requiring private companies to honor gift certificates until they were all used up. Prior and still in practice in other states, gift certificates/cards have expiration dates. I recently personally benefited from that intrusive law when I finally got around to using a gift card my husband had given me over 5 years ago. Bad me, huh?
So, what to do? Do I as a conservative eschew every single attempt for the government to tell private companies how to behave in the marketplace? Or do I, as a citizen of said government want to see my interests codified into law or regulations?
Keep sense-talking coming. I need it!
Jan '11
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
Advocate for what you desire to see but do try to keep in mind that the responsibility to set these for your kid(s) -- which you have no problem instituting -- may not be what someone else may want to be subjected to. Let me leave you now with a quote from Robert A. Heinlein from a book he wrote in 1966 (character speaking had a Russian dialect)
Jan '11
Re: Facebook Lockdown: Should I Be an Over-Interventive Parent or Oppose Such Legislation?
A very timely editorial which dovetails nicely here.