Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Tip

I am so sorry I don't have a card for you today.  It's Tuesday night and I had intended to make one but it's been one of those,
"Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Days."  
I know that from the book
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
by Judith Viorst.  I know there's a movie now, too, but I've never seen it.  

I do have a tip for you, though.
Our local tv news station asked people to post their kids back to school photos on their Facebook page.  Some people included their children's full names, grades and the name of the school they attended.  I know that the parents offered up the kids pictures and names on a platter for them, but I think a responsible news agency would never ask for that information to begin with, so either they're not responsible or I'm wrong.

Either way, as a former teacher and elementary pastor where one of my jobs was to keep the 300 kids I had that weekend safe,

never give out your child's name, grade, and school information on an open website that anyone can see, such as a news station's facebook page.

This is soooo dangerous.  Now everyone within WCIA's viewing range or Facebook page (the world!) knows exactly what these kids look like, their names, what grade they are in and what school they can be found attending.  

Unfortunately, I've been a teacher and I know most people wouldn't hesitate to tell where the first graders pick up, especially if you have the name of the child.  

I also know that kids think strangers are ugly, scary people in dark clothing.  I know, because I did my own little test when I taught second graders and they all agreed, even if they didn't know me, I wouldn't be a stranger because I looked nice.  I even pushed it by pointing out that if we had never met and they didn't know me at all, would I be a stranger then?  Their answer was still no, because I didn't look scary, I looked nice.  I'm sure I don't have to tell you they learned that anyone is a stranger that they don't know, even if they looked nice!

If I'm over-reacting, that's fine.  I would much rather over-react and keep kids safe than not say anything like this was ok.

Now, I think I'm going to back to bed and I'll try again for a better day tomorrow.  

1 comment:

Kim Heggins said...

I totally agree with you! And thanks for the reminder on this.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...