The Elder-blogging community (particularly in the States) has been getting in a state about ageism on the net. Facebook comes in for a great deal of criticism. See here….for an example. This has just come to my attention at the same time as the BBC’s Panorama has been exposing violent crime videos uploaded to Youtube.
It is difficult to know how to respond to monitoring of individual websites or of the internet in general. It seems to me that the only way is for those who come across such items to be vociferous in demanding a just and equitable solution as soon as possible. For violence on Youtube, that means flagging up their unsuitability and monitoring that they have been removed. For any kind of -ism…..that means being constant in pointing out anomalies or intentional prejudices. There is one major problem though. And that is in the area of religion. For one can end up being called a biggot, or belittling another’s deeply held beliefs.
Sometimes I despair of the human race. But it is just as well it is only sometimes.
You have to remember that these things like kids fight club on youtube and anti aged groups on face book etc are a five minute wonder.
The under 20’s are into shock n awe then it’s on to the next big thing,thats how Marilyn manson sell so many cd’s to give Mum and dad a fright.
My youngest was shocked that I surf on myspace until she found out i liked the music and not personal sites.
Youngsters are only now realising that us oldies are starting to get computer smart and they don’t inhabit their own wee cyber world any longer
Thanks for the reassurance, Graham, it helps to retain a sense of proportion.