Back in the real world, if you find your child is having private video chats with any random adult on the internet, you should definitely take steps to stop that. This not normal, or safe, and all efforts to normalise it should be resisted https://t.co/zKggYQSDHH
Yeha… if this was a legitimate attempt to help youth in bad situations (say, who can’t ask their parents or schools for proper counseling because they live in Jesusland, which is unfortunately far too common), then it would be with an organization that would monitor the contact and make sure the kids’ safety is paramount.
Children and young adults sometimes need to talk to people who are not their parents, teachers or immediate social/familial group. They need to be able to talk about difficult things pseudonymously without people close to them finding out. They need to be able to talk to friends and responsible adults in secrecy.
The lack of this kind of privacy can and often does lead to serious problems. I’ve read horrifying case studies that describe the fallout when vulnerable children haven’t had facilities like this or when (even well-meaning) parents or teachers have snooped conversations between children and caused mayhem by their actions. Some of my work involves building software that can provide safe, private and somewhat anonymous ways for children to communicate and I work with charities to build these safe online spaces into their range of services. They can be vital.
But spaces of this kind absolutely must not be provided by random creepy internet dudes with an obvious personal agenda. They must be provided by established groups with a clear mission and well-thought-out policies and which are open to appropriate scrutiny. Surely this is completely obvious to absolutely everyone, but a quick look at the Twitter responses to Strangio’s tweet prove otherwise. Quite a lot of people give extravagant praise and seem to think encouraging children to talk in private to random, unscrutinised internet people with an interest in perpetuating potentially harmful dogma is an excellent idea.
Now he’s having a conniption about Idaho’s sensible legislation to protect girl’s sports.
She. She’s having a conniption fit. But yeah, Chase Strangio’s not exactly in touch with reality. She was in that Teen Vogue video all about how the idea that there are two sexes is totally false. In case you haven’t seen it, prepare to cringe.
Creepy.
The best comment:
“OK, groomer.”
I snorted. At work. Now they want to know why. Dammit, Ben, this was not a conversation I’m prepared for with colleagues.
Yeha… if this was a legitimate attempt to help youth in bad situations (say, who can’t ask their parents or schools for proper counseling because they live in Jesusland, which is unfortunately far too common), then it would be with an organization that would monitor the contact and make sure the kids’ safety is paramount.
Children and young adults sometimes need to talk to people who are not their parents, teachers or immediate social/familial group. They need to be able to talk about difficult things pseudonymously without people close to them finding out. They need to be able to talk to friends and responsible adults in secrecy.
The lack of this kind of privacy can and often does lead to serious problems. I’ve read horrifying case studies that describe the fallout when vulnerable children haven’t had facilities like this or when (even well-meaning) parents or teachers have snooped conversations between children and caused mayhem by their actions. Some of my work involves building software that can provide safe, private and somewhat anonymous ways for children to communicate and I work with charities to build these safe online spaces into their range of services. They can be vital.
But spaces of this kind absolutely must not be provided by random creepy internet dudes with an obvious personal agenda. They must be provided by established groups with a clear mission and well-thought-out policies and which are open to appropriate scrutiny. Surely this is completely obvious to absolutely everyone, but a quick look at the Twitter responses to Strangio’s tweet prove otherwise. Quite a lot of people give extravagant praise and seem to think encouraging children to talk in private to random, unscrutinised internet people with an interest in perpetuating potentially harmful dogma is an excellent idea.
Chase deleted the tweet, maybe too much backlash about his creepiness, however well intended he thought it was. Now he’s having a conniption about Idaho’s sensible legislation to protect girl’s sports. >> https://idahonews.com/news/local/idaho-bill-bans-transgender-women-athletes-from-competition
She. She’s having a conniption fit. But yeah, Chase Strangio’s not exactly in touch with reality. She was in that Teen Vogue video all about how the idea that there are two sexes is totally false. In case you haven’t seen it, prepare to cringe.
I guess using “it” as a neutral pronoun would be objectionable to them? Would solve some issues though.