Internet responsibility debate

I wrote a post last week about the Internet Safety Task Force and stated my support for the initiative. The point of the article was to focus on the technological aspect, but as always, these types of posts bring up debate. Though there are only 3 comments (not including my reply), the comments are all long and thoughtful. I responded to one via a reply comment, but I wanted to repond to this comment by Chuck via a post. Chuck is in favor of parents being held responsible via the legal system.

So Chuck, thanks for the comment. As I stated in my reply to Dr. Rosen, I understand the sentiment of making parents become more responsible for their children's behavior. I believe there are laws on the book of most states that hold parents and others responsible for the endangerment of a minor. I don't know all those laws, and maybe they are not more adequate in these cases. But there are laws there now. Of course, if you incarcerate a parent for this, then you just took away the very person who should be watching the kid. If you levy fines, etc., then you take monetary resources away from the parents that should be going to supporting the kid. Understand, I am not saying I disagree with you on the point. I am just saying that it is kind of a catch-22 that has to be considered.

Also, I am a parent, and I don't let my kids get on the Internet via their computer while at home. I will never allow them to have computers in their rooms. But what about those times when they are not at home? What can you do without some help from MySpace and other sites like it when your kid is at a friend's house or at school? As you mentioned, I know a parent is responsible in those cases as well. But I think it is impossible in today's world to watch your kids 24 / 7 without technological help. Heck, it's still impossible, even with it. But it sure can't hurt.

And frankly, I am befuddled by your accusation of me being one of the news media "blaming the big corporations for parental malfeasance" (I'm not even sure I like being called a member of the media - I'm just a blogger - but I guess I am). In fact, I was praising MySpace for spearheading the task force. Do I think they have some responsibility in this? Of course. Though MySpace does not have malicious intent, they are providing the means for the predators to get to the children. But I am very far away of making them the scapegoat and letting parents off the hook.

I think it comes down to a combination of parental responsibility (watching the kids, teaching them right from wrong, etc.), technological help, and laws (to some degree). Do the parents need to be held more responsible? Definitely. Do they need to be carted off to jail or fined some large amount of money? I am still debating that one. Maybe there are alternate and creative punishments that can be devised that won't take the parent away of take resources away from the family. Of course, in the case of extreme and repetitive offenses, I think the child is probably better in the care of someone else. And that starts a whole other debate that I don't want to get into...