Librarians Have to Keep Eye on Students' Internet Use

BOZEMAN DAILY CHRONICLE ^ | DECEMBER 15, 2004 | GAIL SCHONTZLER

[plan2succeed.org]

"When she signed up for a career as a school librarian, MaryAnne Coppersmith never imagined she'd also have to be 'the Internet police.' As head of Bozeman High School's library department, Coppersmith knows that an important part of her job is to help students learn to use the Internet wisely. Yet today's librarians also have to be vigilant to make sure kids aren't abusing Internet privileges on school computers -- by ... cruising for sexy sites.... It's only a few who violate the rules, and most are contrite when caught, she said. 'But a few are being extremely persistent.' .... Last week, one student was caught looking at pornography. Once discovered, such sites are blocked electronically."

[plan2succeed.org]

This information shows us children in this school are not adequately protected from pornography and are in danger. Have the parents of the "extremely persistent" children been advised that their children have plunged head over heels into the world of pornography and may need professional intervention? Has the school no effective method of controlling these children? Are these children victimizing other children? The parents must have signed an "Acceptable Use Agreement" -- are there any consequences for breach of the policy? If so, what was done? If not, why not, and is the policy not a mere feel-good measure? It is obvious from the article and from the existence of "extremely persistent" children that the school's filtering policy is a total failure. We bet the ALA (American Library Association) is involved with this school's failed library policies. This school should immediately control the problem, else children will continue to suffer and parents may consider removing their children from this pornography indoctrination center. Plan2Succeed Citizen's Group.

[plan2succeed.org]

Librarians Have to Keep Eye on Students' Internet Use

By GAIL SCHONTZLER, Chronicle Staff Writer

When she signed up for a career as a school librarian, MaryAnne Coppersmith never imagined she'd also have to be "the Internet police."

As head of Bozeman High School's library department, Coppersmith knows that an important part of her job is to help students learn to use the Internet wisely.

Yet today's librarians also have to be vigilant to make sure kids aren't abusing Internet privileges on school computers -- by playing skiing games, downloading music, e-mailing, visiting chat rooms, cruising for sexy sites or trying to hack into their grades.

"Ninety-nine percent of the students are great," Coppersmith told the Bozeman School Board at Monday night's meeting.

It's only a few who violate the rules, and most are contrite when caught, she said. "But a few are being extremely persistent."

So, even though the whole thrust of their profession is to help people explore ideas, school librarians are forced to keep students from exploring certain areas. They must monitor students' Internet use by checking online and walking around the computer banks.

They can tell every Web site a student has visited, every key stroke typed in, every challenge to the school's Internet filters. No Internet filter is 100 percent effective, as parents are told when they sign the agreement allowing their children to use the Internet at school.

Ethical issues are taking up more librarians' time, Coppersmith said. Some students have faced suspensions and other discipline. Last week, one student was caught looking at pornography. Once discovered, such sites are blocked electronically.

School Board Chairman Bruce Grubbs asked if students have tried to hack in to change their grades.

They've tried, but the school's security system has always been successful in catching them, Coppersmith said. "It's amazing what these kids know about hacking."

Recently, the school district purchased plagiarism-detection software. It's not needed to find copycats -- astute teachers know when students' papers weren't written in their own words, she said. Rather, it's needed to help teachers prove that a paper has been plagiarized.

Bozeman High's library is a popular place. It's open from 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is crowded before and after school.

Studies have found that a strong library is one of the best ways to improve students' reading skills and test scores, and comply with the federal No Child Left Behind law, Coppersmith said.

Librarians also teach how to tell credible Internet sites from untrustworthy ones, said Darcy Lohmiller, Sacajawea Middle School librarian. Students learn Internet research skills starting in fourth grade.

Trustee John Kauffman asked whether students should be required to do their research in books and magazines at that age, instead of the Internet.

Fourth-graders are already using the Internet, Lohmiller said.

The key thing, Coppersmith said, is "teaching them to make wise choices."

Gail Schontzler is at gails@dailychronicle.com

[Drango]

Oh please! There are many low cost filters that will block 99.9% of the porn. The school district just has to have the cahones to install 'em.

[SteveMcKing]

Newsflash- Sun rises, sun sets.

[Texaggie79]

"Ninety-nine percent of the students are great,"

Because they rather access pr0n in the privacy of their own room....

[Bluegrass Conservative]

Have the parents of the "extremely persistent" children been advised that their children have plunged head over heels into the world of pornography and may need professional intervention?

While I do agree that it is not good for these kids to be viewing porn sites, I think you need to realize also that they are high school students, not elementary or even middle school. The school is right in banning access to the porn sites, but do not for one second think that, even with schools banning it and parents keeping a watchful eye, these kids will not find a way to view such material somehow, somewhere. Teenagers can be pretty darn crafty.

Additionally, and once again I don't think this behavior should be encouraged, but in many cases these kids are going to be on their own, either working or in college, in less than a year. They will have complete access to the materials if they so choose. Now, once again, I'm not saying the school is doing anything wrong. But, I'm not sure they need "professional intervention" for wanting to see a bit of pornography either.

[SteveMcKing]

What is it with the "stop teens from masturbating" crowd? I don't like defending squeemish behavior, but it's as natural as using the bathroom every morning. It's the human animal, get over it.

[plan2succeed.org]

Actually, for the children ensnared by porn in public schools, they may be permanently negatively affected. Having taught in a school with a poor filter, 'extremely persistent' children is exactly what was observed. Children should not be ensnared by porn, especially at public schools.

[plan2succeed.org]

If this were your child, you would want the school to tell you your child is 'extremely persistent' with reagrd to porn. "A bit of pornography" is too much as it creates an instant impression on the brain that will remain forever. Read more about this and about the dangers of pornography here: www.plan2succeed.org/links.html.

[Bluegrass Conservative]

But do you think the parent of an 18 year old boy is really going to be able to prevent their son from viewing pornography? Yes, I know they can hinder it. But next fall he is most likely going to be watching it with his buddies in a college dorm.

Pornography is not good. I know this. And pornography addicition is a serious thing. But, I'd say the vast majority of boys this age are not becoming addicted, but simply want to see on a website, video, or in a magazine what they aren't seeing in person.

[somniferum]

Sheesh, putting filters on wouldnt really help anything. Some computer savvy highschooler would just disable it within a week.. heck, I know if I was still in high school, I would have done my best to try (Not because I wanted to look at porn in school [Whats the point of that really aside from snickering about it with your friends?], but rather just to stick it in the eye of the administration ;)

[Drango]

"A bit of pornography" is too much as it creates an instant impression on the brain that will remain forever.

uhhhhhh...back off the hyperbole and there can be an intelligent discussion about this. The fact is, 100% of our kids have seen porn. To suggest they are scarred for life is over the top...

[Bluegrass Conservative]

. . . it creates an instant impression on the brain that will remain forever.

Well, I wouldn't dismiss the above comment too much. There was this one girl that I saw in a magazine when I was 18 . . . .let's just say I still, thankfully, have that image in my brain. : )

[plan2succeed.org]

Perhaps, but a public school should not be the forum for serving up pornography on a silver platter.

[plan2succeed.org]

You said, "uhhhhhh...back off the hyperbole and there can be an intelligent discussion about this." Sadly, this is NOT hyperbole but established, scientific fact. See, for example, The Institute for Media Education, by Dr. Judith Reisman. Specifically, see The Toxic American Public Library: Violating Children With "Harmful Matter" "A Clear & Present Danger"

[dr_pat]

"A bit of pornography" is too much as it creates an instant impression on the brain that will remain forever.

If this were true, no farm-raised child would ever escape the trauma. Children would have to be prohibited from visiting the monkey and other mammal exhibits at the zoo - and no more dogs allowed outside, where they might (heaven forfend!) encounter another animal to mount.

My experience from my childhood and raising my daughters is: children ignore porn until they're old enough to encompass it. What traumatizes children about porn is the fuss and hoorah the otherwise-sane adults around them go into about it.

[Bluegrass Conservative]

Perhaps, but a public school should not be the forum for serving up pornography on a silver platter.

I agree. That's why they try their best to monitor the usage.

[Protagoras]

Have the parents of the "extremely persistent" children been advised that their children have plunged head over heels into the world of pornography and may need professional intervention?

ROTFLMAO,,,good one. You should be on comedy central.

[Protagoras]

Children should not be ensnared by porn, especially at public schools.

But it would be less of a problem at private schools? LOL

[Protagoras]

The fact is, 100% of our kids have seen porn.

That's not a fact. One of the reasons is because of the definition of porn.

To suggest they are scarred for life is over the top...

Waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy over the top.