Defending Against DOPA

I can't place it now, but in a discussion thread a few days ago, a woman from Canada wrote, "But if DOPA saves even one child from being molested, isn't it worth it?"  The response pointed out that we could ban children from riding in cars or planes, which would undoubtedly save many from an untimely death.  Of course, the woman from Canada was not persuaded.

I'm not unsympathetic to her concern.  It's a scary and dangerous world out there (actually it's also a brilliant and beautiful world, full of kind and generous people, but we'll stick with the dark side for now...) and we do seem to be at a point in our nation's history where the fear of child sexploitation has taken on a hysterical tinge.

Later today, I'll be recording another Talis podcast with the "Library 2.0 Gang", and DOPA is the theme.   (Details on DOPA (the Deleting Online Predators Act) can be found here.)  In short, it seeks to deny e-rate funding to libraries and schools that do not block access to "commercial Web sites that let users create Web pages or profiles or offer communication with other users via forums, chat rooms, e-mail or instant messaging."

Providing access to these sites and tools has been a major part of the outreach strategy for many libraries, so the law is a matter of grave concern.  It's only passed the House so far, and it is unclear what might happen in the Senate, but even if the law doesn't pass, or doesn't pass in this form, it is an indicator of a substantial level of concern that many people have about what their children are up to.  I'm less concerned with this particular piece of poorly written legislation than I am with the larger issues that it points to.

I think it's useful to keep that Canadian mom in mind.  She's not ignorant, or hysterical.  She doesn't come across as a knee-jerk turn-the-clocks-back luddite.  She's trying to find the right balance in what her kids are exposed to and when. 

I'm persuaded that the benefits and the positive uses of social networking sites far outweigh the dangers -- but that doesn't mean that there aren't dangers.  So how do I develop a rhetorical strategy that can persuade the Canadian mom?  And are there some ways that librarians can meet these concerned parents part way and convince them that we're not just plopping their kids down in front of computers full of porn and predators and walking away?

Perhaps something along these lines:  The evidence is clear that pre-teens and teens across all social classes are drawn to the social networking sites and that IM is rapidly outpacing email as the preferred form of online communication.  We know (we should know from personal experience at the very least, if we can remember back that far) that kids are far more clever at doing things that their parents disapprove of than their parents typically suspect.   And we also know that the more we portray MySpace, etc., as dangerous places, the greater will be the desire to explore them.

As a consequence, if we prevent kids from getting to these sites in school and public libraries, they'll find other places -- places with less adult supervision.  They'll find friends whose parents don't monitor their online use, or they'll take laptops to Starbucks (all freshmen at one of the local high schools are getting laptops this year).  In other words, DOPA will not prevent kids from using these sites -- it'll only make them more tempting and, because the message we're giving is that these sites are bad, kids will naturally try to keep their activity a secret from their parents.

So suppose that what librarians do to counter this is to aggressively develop best practices and work with kids on understanding the pros and cons of these sites and the risks associated with various behaviors.   Despite the fact that the MSM has been full, lately, of reports about the really stupid things that some people do with their Facebook accounts, most teens are actually pretty responsible, understand the boundaries, are willing to do a little role-playing, but exercise reasonable caution.  (They'll take some risks, but they have to -- that's part of learning how to be an adult).  Enlist some of these bright kids, who are already leaders in their peer groups, to be the role models for developing responsible online behaviors.

The message to the Canadian mom is that no one can prevent your child from accessing these sites, but we can manage our library programs in such a way that you should want your child to be using our computers for these purposes because that's the best way for them to develop behaviors that will enable them to keep themselves safe.

The ALA strategy so far seems to be to emphasize the positive aspects of social networking sites and to encourage people to call their legislators to try to block DOPA.   That's important, but it may not be sufficient in the larger arena.   The ALA Resolution on Social Networking points out that learning to use the online environment safely is an essential component of education.  Maybe what's needed next is for ALA to take the lead in developing some guidelines for programs that libraries can use in making that learning a reality.

Comments

[Marcus]

When I was in library school (2000-2002), the first battles about Internet filtering in public libraries took place. I agreed with ALA's concern about the faultiness of filters. But I also found myself extremely frustrated with ALA's absolute refusal to acknowledge the concerns of parents.

There is a world of difference between nefarious censorship (think "Fahrenheit 451") and a parent's desire that their children not grow up too fast. Both hard and soft censorship can lead us where we don't want to go; we can't allow parental concerns to set library policy. But we can at least respect the parent's perspective.

Saying to Mom, "If the filter blocks out 'breast', not only will it eliminate porn, it will also block out little Jane's access to information about breast cancer," may be true. But it completely misses the point.

Furthermore, if filters were 100% reliable--they only eliminated smut, but kept the better stuff--I would have no problem with them. Public libraries don't have Playboy or Penthouse lying around for browsing. Is that censorship? Or just common standards of decency in a public place? I say the latter, and bet that most people agree.

[Ryan Deschamps]

I don't think this would convince the parent, but as an advocate for teens and children, I would like to remind about the "punish the victims" aspect of this policy as well.

In the same way society suggests women stay home at night to avoid rapists, DOPA suggests that kids ought to stay away from social software to avoid sexual predators.

"But if DOPA saves even one child from being molested, isn't it worth it?"

The utilitarian perspective is never popular in the world of justice, but I think it is essential that we consider it. Certainly, we may have the benefit of one child who is saved from a predator -- but at what cost?

To me, DOPA will isolate children and teens in a world where they are already isolated enough. Teens at my public library *get dressed up* to come to the library. Why? Because the technology is their connection to friends. Sharing neat sights is a way to be popular. And you oughta look good while you do it. Having a cool MySpace sight is a way to increase your status at a stage in life where status is one way to feel grown up.

Take MySpace and other great social software tools from the public library and this "place to go" aspect is gone. So your teens end up wandering the street, hanging out in the back of strip malls where they feel separated from their communities.

Create a generation of isolated, out-of-place, low self-esteem young people and then you'll see molestation. Heck, they won't need predators to victimize them because they'll do it themselves.

It's like protecting your children from the wolves outside by locking them up in a cage with lions.

[JanieH]

I totally concur with all your points -- well said! Your point about children getting access at Starbucks or other wireless hotspots with a laptop is especially on the mark and hit home for me today.
One of my friends has Internet filters on their home computers and accompanies her children to the library to help monitor use of the Internet. However, on Monday she discovered her 12 year old son and friend hiding in the garage with a laptop belonging to the father of his friend. They had figured out how to get in to the wireless network and were hiding in a corner trying to register on a site that their parents had banned them from using.
Children are savvy today and will still find ways to connect. The more roadblocks in their way, the greater the temptation. Let's educate our young people, teach them to be responsible users and encourage them to surf in safety in public libraries and at schools where they can be monitored.