2009/11/18 private musings thepmaccount@gmail.com:
Ray,
you seem to me to be essentially discussing the 'users' perspective on wikipedia - whilst it's my view that the foundation, and the projects could (and should) do more to allow things like descriptive image filtering for users (I think it would drive participation in places like schools, and librairies) I'm also interested in discussing the perspective of 'participant' in the project.
Given how disruptive "think of the children" can be mere interest is not a valid reason for getting involved with this area.
I think there are important duty of care issues for whomever is responsible for children's involvement in projects like wikipedia,
That would be their parents.
and I don't believe the foundation, and projects, should simply pass the buck of responsibility upstream to the parent.
What you believe isn't relevant. The responsibility is with the parents not us.
Encyclopedia's are rightly exciting and interesting to children, and I think it's just reality that large numbers of participants are minors (wiki's fun, right! :-) - we really should at least talk about whether or not these participants are protected / treated / advised appropriately.
Per current US law yes. If the law changes we can reconsider our activities.
for example, it would be my advice to a minor that it's inappropriate for them to join this (not safe for work discussion) about whether or not to include 'hardcore photos' in the oral sex article ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Oral_sex#Hardcore_photos )
Please provide a list of your qualifications to provide such advice.
There are important ethical issues here (maybe legal ones too, I don't know)
- I've tried to reach out to Volunteering Australia (
http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/html/s01_home/home.asp ) who I hope may be able to offer some advice about good practice in working with volunteer kids etc.
Wikipedia does not answer to Australian law. Please provide a transcript of what you have said.
but I think this might be able to go much further much quicker on a foundation level.
I'd like to see some concrete progress (a report, some ideas, anything really!) related to ensuring appropriate and adequate measures are in place to protect child participants in foundation projects.
They are.