Flickr can be obscene
Hello Everyone
As I'm working on topic 3 action items I just signed up for del.icio.us and was then checking out flickr. As I'm contemplating a lesson that uses one or both of these websites I just had to know if obscene material was present and whether our school website blocking software would block these sites.
On the first question whether there is obscene material present, the answer would be yes. Since these sites are used by individuals from all walks of life it only stands to reason that you get the good, the bad and the ugly (sorry, I just watched that movie yesterday). A search in del.icio.us of porn came up with 52,209 people who bookmarked porn sites. A search of flickr of a few common body parts came up with photos of body parts, not hardcore but still the usual. For example, I ran into a 44 year old woman who took a series of suggestive photos of herself and then uploaded to flickr.
I'm not at school now and we're on winter break right now. Judging by how many sites are blocked now, I have to guess that flickr would be blocked. Not sure on delicious. Even if flickr wasn't blocked, I'm not sure I'd want my high school students in the site.
Comments?
3 comments:
Excellent point Bruce. I haven't had the opportunity to see if the Flickr site is blocked at school - it may well have been missed. I know how easy it is to come across inappropriate material even accidently - I'm sure most high school aged males will see what they can find...
Karen
I am at school now and Flickr seems to be working fine through our filter. I had the same concerns when it came to my students using the service. I found that I could create groups where the students would log into the group and only share information there. However, what they do on their own time...we all know how that goes. I think we are to the point where these tools are out there for the students to use at any time. We should show them how to use it correctly and make sure they do at school. We can also try to educate parents. But, this free service is out there and they know about it.
Well stated, Kristen. While these tools certainly contain inappropriate material, they also contain free, useful material. I believe we need to find ways to teach / develop appropriate use, rather than avoid a great resource because of the potential risks.
You know, Wikipedia would also have to be blocked for the same reasons. And that would block Ask.com, one of the very best information resources, because it uses wikipedia. The internet provides too much information to be blocked because of inappropriate material. After all, most students have email and consequently have seen porn spam. If they listen to popular music, then they hear porn lyrics, etc…
Ok. I think I might be getting carried away...
I don't have a solution, but I doubt we can solve the issue by avoidance. Many teachers ARE using these tools. Why not contact them and ask how their school system justifies the usage, given the easy access to porn.
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