Friday, June 23, 2006

Summer camps' social-network fears

Camps have concerns this summer about campers’ and counselors’ photos in social-networking sites, the New York Times reports. “They worry about online predators tracking children to camp and about their image being tarnished by inappropriate Internet juxtapositions — a mention, say, of the camp on a site that also has crude language or sexually suggestive pictures.” The Times quotes a camp insurance provider as saying this is probably camps’ biggest worry this year, as they consider banning digital cameras and requesting that all references to their names be removed from profiles and blogs, including one camper who reportedly created a profile just to keep in touch with other campers involved in summer theater. And one camp said it brought in a child psychologist for two days to talk with campers about making good decisions.

1 comment:

  1. The New York Times reports that Summer camps are concerned about teen online postings. Here’s a word of advice to Summer camps: Get over it. Times they are a-changin. And . . .

    Maybe, if the kids are having a good time at your camp, you can turn it into a marketing opportunity. You can set up a Summer camp group, tag the photos, set up friends and join the fun. It’s risky, but just a thought.

    P.S. Wait until camp season is over. There will be tons of photos posted online. Trying to stop those postings will be like trying to dam a river with toothpicks.

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