Microsoft to close European chatrooms Support

As cases of child abuse rocket, the Microsoft Network, MSN, is to close its chatrooms in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and most of Asia from 14 October. American chatrooms will be accessible by credit-card subscription only. More at The Guardian. The BBC reports some worrying facts from Cyberspace Research Centre:

One in five children aged nine to 16 regularly use chatrooms
More than half have engaged in sex chat
A quarter have received requests to meet face-to-face
One in 10 had met face-to-face

As a parent and ex-teacher, I'm glad that MSN wants to help protect its users - but at first, this total closure seemed like an over-reaction to me. But then I considered that there are parents out there so lazy or irresponsible that they allow nine year olds to chat or surf the Web unsupervised. If the parents aren't willing to parent their kids, it falls to the chat room provider to do it, however much it smacks of censorship. (Bruce Lawson)

What do you think?

Comments

Good kob

September 24, 2003 by julian Brenninkmeyer

I believe most parents are totally ignorant of what childern can get upto these days within It and the net. So like you say it is upto the providors to try and prevent missuse of certain systems. There are always ways around things, but for most, making it a little more difficult is enough.

RE: Good job

September 24, 2003 by julian Brenninkmeyer

RE: Good kob

September 25, 2003 by Anon User

This is just another example of parents not taking responsibility for or paying attention to their children. This just imposes restrictions on other people due to the irresponsible parents that don't have a clue what's going on in their kids lives. It's the parent's job to make sure their kids are educated and safe, but I guess it's just easier to have someone else deal with it. Laziness and ignorance is never an excuse, do you jobs as parents! Then again who actually uses MSN chatrooms?

Great move!!

September 25, 2003 by Matthew Masci

I think its great to finally see some ethics driving business decisions!! This is a responsible attitude that we need to see more of!

What about Australia???

Cheers!

MM.

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