Online Emergency Services

I am not naïve to the potential problems of the Internet, and specifically social networks. Our children could be at risk from ‘stalkers’, and in fact everyone is at risk from something or someone to an extent. Large quantities of information are readily available seemingly to anyone.

The problem of security and the freedom of information has always been an issue on the Internet, but do we really need a button that links us straight to the police on every social network? Admittedly I do not have any children, and perhaps my view might change when I do, but as always with government policy, there is an easier way round. Social networks such as Facebook often have ‘security settings’ or ‘privacy features’ that allow you to limit what information Joe Public can get their hands on. However, you need to turn these on, and it should ideally be a feature you have to specifically turn off, protecting the young, and the clueless. Much like the influence that the Data Protection Act had on signing up for marketing materials, this would put the power and safety back in the hands of the user.

To surmise, I think the idea of a ‘panic 999’ button on social networks is absurd. I am not entirely sure how the government could enforce such policies, and they obviously do not realise the potential for pranking or accidental contact. Making additions to the Data Protection Act would probably be enough to ensure a certain level of safety, and the reality is no one is ever completely free from others. Social networks will only grow over time (try prising a 12 year old away from Bebo) and although children often do not think about the consequences of their online information profile, they should not need to. The responsibility should always be with the developer.