What I learnt most from it, is that there are HUGE risks facing our children, as this social media world is evolving and they are at the forefront of it all. Obviously as bloggers, we are taking on risk, and should be educating ourselves in this area - but what about non bloggers? Just Joe Random twitter user? The kid with a Facebook page and Instagram account? This book is a must read for any parent with children heading down this path. While not aimed at this market, it highlights, in a round about way the issues that are coming to court. (and as I learnt from the book, my ideas are not copyrighted, so feel free to write another book specific to this idea, Mark Pearson).
Images were lifted off social media to use in ad campaigns around the world - the American girl whose image was used on Australian billboards was not able to claim compensation (while her image was made fun of in a far flung country).
People have been sued for their negative Tripadvisor reviews. People don't think twice about writing the most malicious reviews they can, but they should.
We all just heard about the 16 year old twitter user at the Pink concert (criminal charges pending), and the 19 year old currently in jail for what he wrote on his FB page...a joke in poor taste, involving massacres, but a joke nonetheless. What about if the damage is amplified when you go travelling? One harmless joke about Royals could see you jailed once you land in certain countries...Countries quite close to our shores, so not out of the realm of a holiday destination.What about those careless retweets? Every time you do that, you are actually 'publishing' the words, and can be accountable.
There is so much that the book touches on, and it really got me thinking about the brave new world that our kids are growing into. Who is guiding them on the rules and etiquette if not us, their parents? But what if we don't know ourselves?
I ordered my copy online but I'm sure all book stores would have a copy. I can not recommend this enough. If you are a blogger, there is plenty of good advice - but if you are a parent, I think it starts the conversation on a number of issues that we are only now seeing enter the legal systems of the world. Our little private online world is not so private, or privacy settings all but useless and our images and words can be taken and used against us. It may not necessarily be big brother, but big business is watching.
Linking up with #ArchiveLove
Thank you so much for this really interesting post. I will buy the book online today. On my blog, my husband and I decided to protect our children's identity (for many reasons) by using alias names and never showing their faces - despite me wanting to show the world how God damn cute they are. My personal facebook account is another story though. It is loaded with photos of my kids and I often wonder how safe that is. Can't wait to read the book. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat was interesting for me, while my blog was fairly safe, my tweets are very careless, and it's the off hand jokes, that I make without thought of consequences, that I need to take more care with. Just silly little things to be funny...a lot of people here have been sued for the same thing!
DeleteGeez, I've never even thought about it! Thanks for posting this, definitely something to consider! -Aroha (#teamIBOT)
ReplyDeleteJust read the modern parents post on Qooh - so much to consider these days, and not a lot of guidance.
DeleteVery interesting. I'll keep an eye out for this other books that are similar. I wonder if there is one at the local library, if there isn't, there probably should be!
ReplyDeleteI imagine most libraries would have a copy, as he's an Australian author.
DeleteThis guys spoke at the DP Conference this year and I took copious amounts of notes! Yes you have to be very careful these days....
ReplyDeleteI wasn't there but a blogger wrote a really great post with her notes from the conference - which is why I got a copy of the book. If you know who did the post, get her to link her post in the comments...
DeleteKeeping an eye out for this book too. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteAi @ Sakura Haruka
He's on twitter @JournLaw
DeleteWow, it really is getting scary isn't it. In most cases you may think it is common sense, but not always.
ReplyDeleteI shudder about the use of images however. I had a no pictures policy when I began, but now seeing all bloggers putting up pictures of their family followed suit. It would be hideous to have your personal pictures taken and used without your permission.
I have also thought of putting up a review when I have received good or bad service. Maybe a letter would be better...
I think this book would be a good read. Thank you.
Becc @ Take Charge Now
Gee - it really is a scary world out there. I realised that I was using photos that I shouldn't and so now only use from MorgueFile free photos. It truly is a huge minedfield out there isn't it ?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up about the book - always good to have recommended reference books about an ever changing issue !
Have the best day !
Me
Will definitely check this book out - thank you!
ReplyDeleteSo much food for thought, and just another thing us parents are going to have to be across to educate our children. Imagine the poor parents who don't even get on the internet themselves, at least we're already one step ahead.
ReplyDeleteWhile I take my own pics for my blog (as bad as they are) I don't put my kids on the blog very rarely, or they have their back to the camera. I was on Twitter last night when another blogger mentioned someone had posted nudie pics of their boys (toddlers on FB-they had a public page). As innocent as our intention, other people's reactions are out of our control. I will keep an eye out for the book x
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us know about this book, Lydia. Everything seems to be getting so complicated, it's quite scary when you think about it. Definitely a loss of innocence.
ReplyDeleteYes, saying RTs are not an endorsement in your bio is not a get out of a jail free card.
ReplyDeleteBoy, sobering stuff. Thanks for the heads-up. I've not been aware of this book - sounds like I should be!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Lydia, I suppose I'm already aware of defamation etc having been a journo and so I make sure to be very careful that I write, could be worth a read of this to touch up my skills though :)
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought about the Retweet option. I RT all the IBOT tweets, even if I don't agree with them, and I have worried about that sometimes. Lots to think about
ReplyDeleteLove the ideas in this, it is something overlooked by most of society and I really think our mindset as a society needs to change. But especially as parents. Can I see control-freak Mummy in the distance as my kids get older? I think so. xx
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you for sharing about this book. It can only take you one sentence to land you in hot water.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wakeup Lydia. I've always been aware of copyright issues because of my day job as a journo but sometimes you forget, or get lazy because it's all so accessible on the web ie pics i'm thinking of more so than defamatory statements but you're right it's something we also need to guide our kids on. Bless you. Kim x
ReplyDeleteI'm super aware of copyright issues, granted I occasionally choose to ignore them but my FIL is a photographer and owns a photo library - you'd be shocked at how much he makes suing people who use his photos without licence and it's not only the little people who do it - huge publishing houses have been known to forget that detail on occasion and it's an expensive mistake to make! Will have to pick up this book, sounds like a handy resource.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an absolute must read. Off to see if my local library can order it in!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I try to only use creative commons pics (or my own), but I so often see other bloggers just lifting any old pic off the net. I'm tempted, but have decided it's not worth the risk...
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Although my son is only 18 months old, I'm very concerned about the online world he's going to experience and so many times I wish he was able to experience the world as it was when my husband and I were young, without mobile phones, internet, iphones etc. It also looks like a good read for bloggers and something good for my business in Social Media. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteEva
The Multitasking Mummy
Thanks, that really is something to think about and be educated about.
ReplyDeleteIt is really very important for us to remember that although what we write is written in a personal way, it is projected into a very public arena. Due to sitting in our own homes, behind our computer screen, and with a comfy cuppa in our hand, this gets forgotten very often.
ReplyDeleteI think there are many things that people can learn in this area and that, in a world where people are a google click away from knowing their rights, we need to watch what we say, just as we do to people's faces.
Thanks for your post :-)
Amy
yes, such an important lesson. It's so easy to upload an image or write something and hit send or publish or whatever and you feel like that's done and forgotten. The internet can be tricksy like that. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Lydia. Something that had crossed my mind but hasn't thought too much about. I often wish that my kids were raised in another era (one where the Internet was non existent) x
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting Lydia! Will definitely be checking this out at the local library and if it's not there I'll be requesting for them to get it in! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's something that I don't think many people think about properly. Bloggers may know more than some, but even then people don't seem to think about it sometimes.
ReplyDelete