PREDATOR PARANOIA?

A new law just passed in Florida resonates with the kind of paranoia that threatens to eclipse effective methods of dealing with youth risk online and cyberbullying in general.  The law states in part: ”All public libraries are encouraged to adopt an Internet safety education program, including the implementation of a computer-based educational program, which has been endorsed by a government-sanctioned law enforcement agency or other reputable public safety advocacy organization and is designed for children and adults. The purpose of the Internet safety education program is to promote the use of prudent online deportment and broaden awareness of online predators.”

My colleague, Nancy Willard, notes that there is “no requirement the program present information grounded in research insight.”  She adds, This sounds to me like a bill requiring the use of WebWiseKids in libraries.”

While the legislation is undoubtedly well-meaning, it reflects an unrealistic paranoia about sexual predation.  In other words, it’s a reaction to fear-mongering.  And Stacie Rumenap, former deputy director of the American Conservative Union and Director of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, who helped spread unfounded paranoia about Google Street View, is one who applauds passage of the legislation.

Larry Magid, who wrote about the Google Street View paranoia, observes, “A growing number of conservatives (and liberals too) are starting to understand the real risks and are no longer putting out false predator information.”

The problem with the focus on predators is that it distracts from the real issues facing kids online, including sexting, cyberbullying, cyberthreats, and peer abuse with the new features of Web 2.0 (Nancy’s term).  Of course, online predators are scary, and scary people make for good news articles and political posturing.  But that can also lead to bad policy.

The Florida law is not all that bad, per se.  But it’s basically a waste of time and a distraction from what is really going on.

I’d love to hear what you think.  Please send your comments and suggestions.