What would you do...son's website!!

[eeyoresmountainpals]

I don't think you are overeacting. I think we are bombarded by so many scary situations from the internet today that the idea of what too much information can do is frightening. I agree that chances of anything happening from this are definitely slim, but I believe you have every right to feel the way you do. I agree that you should educate your son again on dealing with strangers, check how many hits it got and move on.

The project reminds me of something my brother did (on paper only) when he was about your DS's age. (I remember him listing me as having dreams of becoming an author, a movie star or a waitress ...but I digress...). It sounds like a typical school assignment, but NOT for public viewing.

I'm glad they took it down.

I think it was a great assignment! And he did an excellent job on it. Used lots of different backgrounds on his pages, etc. But like you said, "NOT for public viewing."

Thanks!

 

[my3kids]

I would be livid and even if it were the weekend the webmaster would be called to get that info off the web. I can't believe a school would do that. I think they actually are governed by privacy laws which prevent any information from being released. They messed up, big time.

 

[clh2]

You could ask that the teacher who put the info. on the website be required to take a course on child internet safety. Other than that, I wouldn't be paranoid about stalkers.

We just attended a seminar on children using the internet, the kids had one detective talking to them, at an age appropriate level. The adults had a different presentation from an FBI agent who specializes in cybercrimes.

Now, granted, the point of the presentations was to inform the parents, as well as the kids, but man, you would not believe how fast people can latch onto that information.

Apparently the cyber-crime predators keep very detailed lists of info with the kids they are chatting with, they set up a fake my-space account during the presentation, it didn't take long before cyber-people realized that the account was live.

I would have been absolutely furious about the situation-granted I can over react to almost anything. The fact that a picture could be posted to the first and last name, and a school which means a city and state was just frightening. The average cyber-crime predator doesn't need to travel more than 50 miles after they've found an on-line potential victim. I was also equally amazed - thinking that this type of activity would never happen in 'my quaint little town" but was truly surprised that there was a whole internet cyber-crime predator situation in a small-town 40 minutes from mine. This situation resulted in 6 arrests of creepy-but very smart guys.

The FBI agent warned us that the cyber predators are very-very smart guys.

You did the right thing and so did the school by taking it down. I would recommend getting your PTA to sponsor a web safety seminar or similar. And work with the PTA and the school's administration to know, practice, and promote safety guidelines regarding the web.

It was our PTA that arranged the presentation. I was actually surprised that so few people attended this. Out of about 2000 eligilbe students (grades 6-12 in the fall) there were about 20 kids, and about 25 parents who attended.

 

[ILUVMYBRIT]

I dont think you were over reacting at all. I would be furious. I am glad you brought it to their attention and that they removed it from public view.

 

[slo]

What would you do and what do you think about this happening???

First: I would be if I saw this and I would demand to have it removed. Some DISers said you were overreacting, I disagree!!!! You have no idea who could have seen that What would stop child molester or kidnapper from going onto the school website and pulling that up. My biggest nightmare is someone taking my girls, and if I have to be paranoid, or an overreactor, to stop that from ever happening, than that's what I will be!!!! I go outside everyday to make sure that my DD gets on the bus w/o someone taking her - is that overreacting??? Some people would definitly say yes - but I don't care !!!! It's my responsibility as her mother to make sure she is safe at all times.

Second: What in the h*e* double hockey sticks was this teacher thinking by teaching the students that's it's okay to post such personal information. With all the news about children getting picked up on the internet by predators, you would think that he/she would be teaching them how not to do that, than to do that. This whole thing makes me so mad for you!!!!!!

Many hugs to you while you get this resolved If you need to talk, you know where to find me

 

[~queenie~]

Kathy,


I can understand your feelings. I would be just as worried as you are. I would want as much info about how many people saw it and any other info they can give you.

The teacher should be teaching the children about the danger on the internet and what not to post about youself!!

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

First: I would be if I saw this and I would demand to have it removed. Some DISers said you were overreacting, I disagree!!!! You have no idea who could have seen that What would stop child molester or kidnapper from going onto the school website and pulling that up. My biggest nightmare is someone taking my girls, and if I have to be paranoid, or an overreactor, to stop that from ever happening, than that's what I will be!!!! I go outside everyday to make sure that my DD gets on the bus w/o someone taking her - is that overreacting??? Some people would definitly say yes - but I don't care !!!! It's my responsibility as her mother to make sure she is safe at all times.

Second: What in the h*e* double hockey sticks was this teacher thinking by teaching the students that's it's okay to post such personal information. With all the news about children getting picked up on the internet by predators, you would think that he/she would be teaching them how not to do that, than to do that. This whole thing makes me so mad for you!!!!!!

Many hugs to you while you get this resolved If you need to talk, you know where to find me

Thanks, slo, for letting me know that you don't think I'm overreacting! Lots of people on here have said that I am and I just wonder if they would think the same if this was their child.

I'm trying to let go of the anger and the worry but it's not working too well. I've always been a "what if" type of person and this is just pushing me over the edge. There are just too many "what if" scenarios!

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Kathy,


I can understand your feelings. I would be just as worried as you are. I would want as much info about how many people saw it and any other info they can give you.

The teacher should be teaching the children about the danger on the internet and what not to post about youself!!

Thanks ~queenie~!!

 

[TDC Nala]

This isn't really set up for kids as old as 13 but it sounds like someone at your school needs to see it.

http://www.fbi.gov/kids/k5th/safety2.htm

 

[m&m's mom]

If it were me, I would not have reacted as strongly as you have and light years away from reacting like others here.
I would have a calm discussion about your concerns w/ the teacher (and not higher up) and see how responsive they are.

 

[kbmoo]

Thanks, slo, for letting me know that you don't think I'm overreacting! Lots of people on here have said that I am and I just wonder if they would think the same if this was their child.

I'm trying to let go of the anger and the worry but it's not working too well. I've always been a "what if" type of person and this is just pushing me over the edge. There are just too many "what if" scenarios!

I don't think you were over reacting. I have a teenager too and I feel for you. Thank God you saw it and got the school to take it down. Sounds like a good learning expience for alll involved.

 

[grlpwrd]

I don't think you're overreacting either.

It's not just about info given on the internet, but it's a privacy issue as well. The teacher did not have the right to disclose such information at all, online or otherwise. Your son still has a right to privacy.

I would take issue with the teacher and administration to make sure all privacy concerns are intact and to not let this kind of thing happen again.

 

[cats mom]

Now to my question -

What would you do and what do you think about this happening???

I have had the feeling that I'm looking over my shoulder for the past two days since I saw the website. There are so many weirdos out there these days...what is to prevent one of them from watching my son get onto the school bus and follow him home? What is to prevent someone from watching the basketball courts and then approaching him. We live in an extremely small area, but a remote area. I was finally to the point of allowing my kids to "grow up" and giving them the opportunities to be on their own. I would drop them off at the park for a little while to play basketball. Now I don't feel safe that I can do that. I feel that I've lost my sense of security!

Sorry about the length of this post and thanks to all of you that stuck with it to read to the end!

As for what to do... I'd be sure my concerns were expressed not only to the teacher and adminstration at the school, but would probably take it to the appropriate person at the district level as well. Hopefully they would have the authority and take the initiative to set guidelines ensuring that it does not happen again.
(But that may just be my cynical attitude and is probably based on the fact that around here taking it to that level is often the only way to get things done)

As for what I think about it happening... I think it was a serious lapse in judgement.

But since your son's information is no longer up, once you have expressed your concerns to the proper people, I think you probably need to take a deep breath and try to relax a little.

I'm guessing the parts about loosing your sense of security and not feeling safe letting your kids play at the park anymore because of this are what people are referring to when they say you're over-reacting.

I really think the chances of a cyber predator finding the information and targeting your son in the time it was up are pretty slim. I'm guessing those guys are trolling my space and similar sites - not official school websites.

You're right - none of us are in your position, but I do hope you can relax and not feel like you have to be looking over your shoulder all the time. I really don't think what happened warrants that.

Good Luck

 

[zurgswife]

I'm in the over reacting opinon. If it had been kept up for an indefinant amount of time maybe. But the chances that someone followed the schools website and found your sons info is probably small.

 

[slo]

Thanks, slo, for letting me know that you don't think I'm overreacting!

Your welcome my friend!!!!
I am totally on your side!!!

 

[m&m's mom]

I'm in the over reacting opinon. If it had been kept up for an indefinant amount of time maybe. But the chances that someone followed the schools website and found your sons info is probably small.

And....................even so remotely miniscule that anyone would have acted on the knowledge.
I saw something here on the DIS a few years back that actually stated the EXTREMELY small (.000000001) percent of child crimes that originate from stranger internet encounters. They are usually contacts in chat rooms etc that you need to be concerned about. In other words we need to be more concerned w/ who our kids are in contact with on the intenet than a total stranger 1) stumbling across the internet page in queston 2) determining how to contact the boy from this site 3) gaining access to the client.

 

[r3ngels]

First: I would be if I saw this and I would demand to have it removed. Some DISers said you were overreacting, I disagree!!!! You have no idea who could have seen that What would stop child molester or kidnapper from going onto the school website and pulling that up. My biggest nightmare is someone taking my girls, and if I have to be paranoid, or an overreactor, to stop that from ever happening, than that's what I will be!!!! I go outside everyday to make sure that my DD gets on the bus w/o someone taking her - is that overreacting??? Some people would definitly say yes - but I don't care !!!! It's my responsibility as her mother to make sure she is safe at all times.

Second: What in the h*e* double hockey sticks was this teacher thinking by teaching the students that's it's okay to post such personal information. With all the news about children getting picked up on the internet by predators, you would think that he/she would be teaching them how not to do that, than to do that. This whole thing makes me so mad for you!!!!!!

Many hugs to you while you get this resolved If you need to talk, you know where to find me

ITA with Sandy... never never should someone put a childs first and last name, the name of the school, his hobbies, his siblings all on a website.


So the wacko person and walks up to your son and said sorry Mom told you not to ride the bus home she is picking up (your other childs name) why don't we go play (and starts naming his hobbies) while he is using your son's first and last name.

Why take the chance... the teachers should be teaching those kids not to put ANY personal info on any website.

Chances are it WON'T happen but why take that chance...I wouldn't

 

[kimmar067]

A teacher's point of view ~

Actually, I am shocked that the teacher would have used such incredibly BAD judgment to post such personal information. As a teacher, I know, even knowing how INNOCENT and HARMLESS their [the teacher's] intentions were, I am NEVER to reveal confidential information like that which he/she provided. I teach Title I Mathematics and have access to the same type of info (although, not necessarily my students' hobbies and such): first and last name, address(es), family members, phone and cell numbers, etc. I am under strict policy to NEVER let ANYONE see students' files (with this info) - NOT EVEN OTHER TEACHERS! So, isn't posting it in cyberspace the SAME THING??!?!? Now, here is where I am going to be brutally frank and HARSH - to all you naysayers who thought that eeyoresmountainpals was overreacting - LISTEN UP - ALL IT TAKES IS ONE WIERDO TO GET HOLD OF PERSONAL INFORMATION AND THEN IT'S TOO LATE!! And, the fact that she is located in a 'rural area' has nothing to do with it....the world is a small place and getting smaller every day! Thank goodness the school had enough sense to remove it as soon as possible - I don't understand what gave that teacher the right to post it in the first place. Believe me, our school district works very closely with law enforcement agencies, and, from time to time, we have access to information about child molestors and criminal deviants in the area....you guys have NO IDEA HOW THESE CREEPS PREY ON INNOCENTS like your children and HOW CLOSE THEY ARE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS! The best weapon we can arm our children with is knowledge, common sense, and information

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

A teacher's point of view ~

Actually, I am shocked that the teacher would have used such incredibly BAD judgment to post such personal information. As a teacher, I know, even knowing how INNOCENT and HARMLESS their [the teacher's] intentions were, I am NEVER to reveal confidential information like that which he/she provided. I teach Title I Mathematics and have access to the same type of info (although, not necessarily my students' hobbies and such): first and last name, address(es), family members, phone and cell numbers, etc. I am under strict policy to NEVER let ANYONE see students' files (with this info) - NOT EVEN OTHER TEACHERS! So, isn't posting it in cyberspace the SAME THING??!?!? Now, here is where I am going to be brutally frank and HARSH - to all you naysayers who thought that eeyoresmountainpals was overreacting - LISTEN UP - ALL IT TAKES IS ONE WIERDO TO GET HOLD OF PERSONAL INFORMATION AND THEN IT'S TOO LATE!! And, the fact that she is located in a 'rural area' has nothing to do with it....the world is a small place and getting smaller every day! Thank goodness the school had enough sense to remove it as soon as possible - I don't understand what gave that teacher the right to post it in the first place. Believe me, our school district works very closely with law enforcement agencies, and, from time to time, we have access to information about child molestors and criminal deviants in the area....you guys have NO IDEA HOW THESE CREEPS PREY ON INNOCENTS like your children and HOW CLOSE THEY ARE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS! The best weapon we can arm our children with is knowledge, common sense, and information

THANK YOU!

I know so many of the people on here are saying "don't worry, there's a 99% chance that no one saw it." But what about the other 1%, and what if my son becomes a victim to that 1%????

 

[kimmar067]

THANK YOU!

I know so many of the people on here are saying "don't worry, there's a 99% chance that no one saw it." But what about the other 1%, and what if my son becomes a victim to that 1%????

...exactly - NOTHING is ever 100% safe!! Just make sure that your son stays vigilant and keep reminding him to do the safe things that you have been teaching him throughout his life and I am sure that he will be okay.....

Let it be said that it is better to err on the side of caution.....