To regulate or not to regulate

When you want to stop people from doing something, there are usually two ways to go about it. You force them to stop, or you can convince them to stop. Both options have their merits. When it comes to HR 5319 and our most recent campaign to Save Our Social Networks (SOS), the debate gets pretty heated. Online predators are out there. We want novice internet users to be safe, but we also want them to use the medium to its full potential.

What do we do–stop young people from accessing parts of the internet in libraries and public schools, or simply talk to them about how they can be safe? Mobilize has been leading the debate on Essembly.com for weeks now.

I’d say most people tend to agree with the SOS stance: we don’t need to stop young people from getting on the internet, but we do need to tell young people how to protect themselves. It’s a problem that could easily be solved with a conversation or two, regulation overcompensates. Of course, there are a few people who don’t agree. Young people aren’t always supervised in libraries and public schools, and enter into situations that violate their safety without even knowing it.

When I first got my driver’s license, I stopped wearing a jacket. It was December, but I was literally outside for moments a day, and knew I didn’t need one. My parents were not happy about this, and told me they wouldn’t let me drive anymore unless I had a jacket in my hand. Needless to say, I never wore the jacket. And I never got sick, and the car never broke down, either. But I always had one.

I don’t think my parents ever entertained the notion of not letting me drive the car in winter, because that would have been impractical. They saw the bottom line a lot better than I did: sometimes you need a jacket "just in case." But that’s driving. My parents had been driving for decades before I got my license. With the internet, those tables turn.

Young people have been online almost as long as their parents have, and are more familiar with the social networking tools under debate. It’s not that we don’t need mom and dad to tell us how to keep ourselves save, but we have an opinion to share on this matter, and we know what we’re talking about it.

Social networking websites are used for good. To check out how, go to www.mobilize.org/SOS. You can write to your elected officials, tell your friends to, and help promote this campaign--all through the use of social networking websites. Should we restrict access to this type of technology in schools and libraries, when young people are most likely to take advantage? I don't think so, and I want to tell everyone I know.

Benchmarks

We're all really excited about our new campaign, Save Our Social Networks (SOS). Dave says we're doing a top-notch job, Maya is on the phone all day with our partners, and I am juggling a few story ideas with reporters. The office has taken on a lively character, we all feel fulfilled. Today we got the news that 1,000 letters to Congress have been written!

This is the campaign right under your nose. Congress thinks that we didn't need social networking websites (Facebook, Friendster, MySpace, Essembly, YPAC, Yahoo 360...), and young people are saying: "yes we do!" After all, young people have grown up with the internet all our lives, Congress has only had it for the last 15 years or so.

It's integrated into our lives, and we're used to coordinating with our friends, and engaging in public and civic discourse, through this medium.

Or at least that's what I'M saying.

We have a website, www.mobilize.org/SOS, where we want people to give us their feedback about why social networking websites are important to them. Here are a few of the many great responses we have received:

“Don’t Stop Progress!”~Josh Kappel from Wildwood, MO

“I love MySpace because it allows me to keep in touch with my friends. Since college, everyone has moved all over the country, and MySpace is an affordable and quick way to keep in touch. Now that I am a mother of a six month old, I don't really have a lot of time for long telephone conversations or for lengthy emails, but in a few minutes I can send a quick message out to all of my friends.”~Nicole Berkheimer from Knoxville, TN

“I use MySpace to promote my band. If you pass this legislation you will be taking money out of our pockets.”~J. Grant Bolign from Coupeville, WA

“They are used to work on assignments for class. We message each other to find out about homeowrk or schedule a time for group projects. Many school organizations also use these websites to remind people of meetings or upcoming events.” ~Trent Armitage from Victoria, VA

“I have friends whose lives have been saved because of these very websites. Suicidal youth who look out for help (and GET IT, through these sites), the kids who get beat up each day who need to find other kids to talk to who go through the same thing, many kids who do not even have a computer at home, or do not feel safe BEING at home. Over 69 million people use MySpace.com, and of those 69 million, 12 have been prosecuted for child abuse. That's hardly a measurable fraction.”~Tevi Abrams-Slep from New York, NY

“We have 5 children and they utilize the web / email / instant messager to keep in touch with friends and family from around the world. As responsible parents we realize that the responsibility is ours and not the government's to teach our children the safe way to use the web which is as it should be.”~Barry Chalcroft from Vancouver, WA

“Thank you taking the time to read my letter and consider mine and my peers views.”~Danny Carle from Willoughby, OH

“I am in Iraq and banning networks like Myspace would greatly reduce my connections with the outside world. Its not only a place to keep in contact with friends and family but I can see PICTURES of america! The American melting pot is sort of like myspace. There is nothing more AMERICAN then myspace.”~Jennifer Adlard from Petuluma, CA

“Keep in touch with friends and family: For instance, I recently found my half brother and sister by utilizing socializing websites. It seems that many of the older generations do not understand the electronic world. They feel that meeting/chatting with people online is a horrible thing, when nothing is further from the truth. I implore you not to ban social networks.”~Traci Wilkins from Warner Robins, GA

“I am concerned that this bill would have a chilling effect on free expression by young people. When Congress passes any bill restricting youths' free expression, it gives the sense that young people should just shut up rather than get involved in public discourse and debate. HR5319 doesn't do anything about child predators; it attempts the appearance of a solution by restricting youth. In other words, it punishes the them.” ~Svend la Rose from Hayward, CA

Save Our Social Networks (SOS)

I hope you’ve enjoyed our site - Congress wants this to be your last visit. Legislation was recently proposed that bans social networking. Come again? HR 5319 uses extremely broad language to define social networking sites and would even ban websites that are used for positive, professional and social experiences. Wait..what?

The Mobilize.org team wants to ensure you that we are doing everything we can to fight Congress and to Save Our Social Networks but we need your help. Don’t let the traditional political powers ban our new organizing technology. We’ve created this movement, and we’re going to fight for it.

Visit www.mobilize.org/SOS to send Congress a message, tell your friends, and get mad.

And remember, Congress does NOT want you to forward this message.

No Educational Divide? Think Again.

Next weekend, a high school in La Puente will send a team to the 2006 Solar Cup boat competition. Forty high schools from the greater Los Angeles area will compete for the fastest and strongest boat.

The high school, Nogales, finished third in the competition two years ago, and is hoping its “Black Rose” will snatch up a victory this year. A recent newspaper article cited the team’s experience with fixing cars and knowledge of electrical systems as factors that could deliver a win.

Their advantage–the reason they know so much about cars and electrical systems–is also their weakness. La Puente is a lower income community, and its students have a hard time facing opponents with access to more resources.

Mobilize is part of a coalition: “Reverse the Raid on Student Aid,” that is demanding Congress address the problem of higher education expenses. The fear is that, as college costs continue to rise, people from lower income communities will be boxed out of higher education. Right now, the average cost of a four year public school is $15,566/year, or one third of the annual income for the average La Puente family.

Loans, and more specifically government loans, have been a good way for families to finance college. But, with interest rates set to double in July, the option loses its appeal. “Reverse the Raid” groups want to keep interest rates where they are (around 3% for students and 4% for parents) so that more young people can share in the American dream. If the increase goes through, the average student will be forced to add $7,000 in interest alone to their educational expenses. This will only exacerbate the socio-economic divide that gives richer students more resources than poorer students.

In some cases, those “resources” are obvious–take Glendora, a town 15 miles north of La Puente. Students from Glendora High placed second in the Solar Cup boat competition two years ago. They live in more expensive homes, have richer parents, and attend better schools. There are also safer. In 2003, La Puente had 402 assaults per 100,000 residents, in Glendora the number was 85 that year. Simple as pie.

Such is not the case when putting Nogales next to Canyon High, in Anaheim (which has won the last three Solar Cups). While Anaheim has better property values and less crime, the average income for Nogales is $41,222. Anaheim’s is only marginally higher ($47,122).

The difference, the “resource,” is education. An Anaheim resident over 25 years old is 40% more likely to be a high school graduate than his counterpart in La Puente. He is 300% more likely to be a college graduate. When talking about employment, the Anaheim resident is 50% more likely to have a job.

If this doesn’t clearly delineate the educational divide in America, I’m not sure I know what does. That the high school students of La Puente can place among students with more access and privilege is comforting. What’s more, their outlook is almost heartwarming.

“We’re ghetto, but we’re smart ghetto,” one Nogales senior is quoted as saying. The article doesn’t mention if the student is going to college in the fall, but statistically he stands as great a chance of going as not, and that simply isn’t okay.

Please support “Reverse the Raid.” Our coalition wants to open up our institutions of higher learning to a wide audience of Americans, Americans who have ambition and spirit, but perhaps not the money.

To learn more, please visit www.mobilize.org/studentdebt.

DP

A Few Studies and Resources

MTV RELEASES RESULTS FROM JUST CAUSE RESEARCH – STUDY PROVIDES INSIGHT ON MOTIVATING YOUNG PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER

MTV released the results of Just Cause, a research study which deconstructs how youth perceive “activism” and explores the motivating factors and barriers in their decision to become involved in social causes. Findings deconstruct youth activism and find an “activation gap”, showing a strong disparity between interest in and involvement in social causes. Anecdotal responses from respondents also offer clues into successful strategies into closing the “activation gap”. For a copy of the full study and an appendix, log on to: http://research.mtv.com.

PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS RELEASES POLL ABOUT OPTIMISM ABOUT OUR GENERATION'S ABILITY TO ACHIEVE GREATER THINGS THAN PAST GENERATIONS

Nearly 50% of American adults believe that we will be worse off then people right now. This definitely gives us a step backwards on the American Dream ladder. Check out the full study

DR. PETER LEVINE OF CIRCLE LISTS GREAT SITES FOR YOUTH DISCUSSION

Check out the great list of youth sites, including the Youth Policy Action Center.