By Michael Partridge, SIGMM Assistant Director FACEOFF


FACEBOOK THE


Te following is a fictional exchange of emails around a decision by a school superintendent.


To: Mike Sanders, Superintendent From: Nancy DeYoung, High School Principal


Mike: I know you said that we need to help students become good digital citizens. Who will help the parents, teachers, staff, etc.?


I think you need to see some of these emails that I have gotten. Some good, some bad. All of them make good points. We need to keep talking about this.


Tanks, Nancy


To: Nancy DeYoung, High School Principal From: Renee Whitman, High School Parent


Dear Mrs. DeYoung, I write to you today as a very concerned parent. My daughter, Ashley, gave me the letter indicating that the school has decided to allow students to access the Facebook social networking site during the school day.


I find this unacceptable.


As her parent, it is my job to help Ashley learn to manage time for things: having friends, running track, choir, oboe lessons, play practice, etc. She has a number of interests and responsibilities. Wasting time on the computer has no place in her (or my) busy schedule.


Beside my concerns about the wasted time, I am very concerned about other issues that go along with these social networking sites. Tese sites are a breeding ground for bullying and inappropriate conversations. Kids need supervision, and these sites do not


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provide that supervision. I certainly do not need Ashley engaging with some stranger online and getting exposed to sexual pressure. I have heard what kids are doing online and that is not what I want for my daughter.


I am very familiar with Facebook. I have been using it for quite some time, but I don’t see why kids would need to use it in school. I have a job. I need to connect with my clients so they can see what properties I have available. Ashley is a student. Her job is learning in school. She does not need this distraction.


I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and discuss this further.


Sincerely, Renee Whitman Lakes Properties (Let me help you find your dream home!)


To: Nancy DeYoung From: Roger Allen, High School Computer Technician


nancy:


i got your note about removing facebook from the list of blocked sites - it is done. get ready - students will be wanting to send you giſts. :-) i had my machine set to bypass the filters, so i never had to deal with my facebook page being blocked.


btw [by the way] - i appreciate this decision. i was swamped with trying to keep these little monsters from finding holes in the filter. as soon as one kid found a way to get past the filter, he would post it on facebook. it was a constant battle and i am looking forward to having more time to spend on more productive projects.


today i am one happy technician. ;-)


rog all your base are belong to us


Facebook Faceoff continued on page 27 Winter 2013 | 21


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