primary kids pictures on ward website...Safe?

This forum contains discussions related to keeping families and individuals safe while making use of technology. Acceptable topics would range from how to protect families from Internet predators and online pornography, monitoring and protecting cell phone usage and text messaging, locking unwanted television and movies from various devices, protecting and monitoring computer game usage, and promoting safe Internet and technology use.
kisaac
Community Moderators
Posts: 1184
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2007 6:04 am
Location: Utah, united states

primary kids pictures on ward website...Safe?

#1

Post by kisaac »

As ward clerk, I was showing the Primary President (my wife) the new beta directory, and told her we now can take pictures of all the kids individually and add them to the directory so the bishop could see and get to know them.

She said it wasn't safe and we shouldn't do it. Her explanations are that a child predator tries to find any info about kids, such as a name, a parents name, siblings, or addresses, and will use that to convince a child they are a "friend" and not a stranger. Having a photo next to their name in the ward directory would give a potential dangerous person the ability to recognize a child, their address, siblings, etc.

I explained that these directories are only available to ward members who have made an LDS account. Her response: "You are ward clerk. Do you know every name on our ward list, even those who don't come? How can you be sure a dangerous person we don't know about won't access our ward directory?"

I don't have the answer to that one...Any thoughts?
techgy
Community Moderators
Posts: 3183
Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 6:48 pm
Location: California

#2

Post by techgy »

kisaac wrote:As ward clerk, I was showing the Primary President (my wife) the new beta directory, and told her we now can take pictures of all the kids individually and add them to the directory so the bishop could see and get to know them.

She said it wasn't safe and we shouldn't do it. Her explanations are that a child predator tries to find any info about kids, such as a name, a parents name, siblings, or addresses, and will use that to convince a child they are a "friend" and not a stranger. Having a photo next to their name in the ward directory would give a potential dangerous person the ability to recognize a child, their address, siblings, etc.

I explained that these directories are only available to ward members who have made an LDS account. Her response: "You are ward clerk. Do you know every name on our ward list, even those who don't come? How can you be sure a dangerous person we don't know about won't access our ward directory?"

I don't have the answer to that one...Any thoughts?
I would leave this decision up to the parents. If they don't mind a photo posted of their family (incl children), then proceed. The final decision should be up to the parents to decide.
Have you read the Code of Conduct?
User avatar
aebrown
Community Administrator
Posts: 15153
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:48 pm
Location: Draper, Utah

#3

Post by aebrown »

kisaac wrote:I explained that these directories are only available to ward members who have made an LDS account.
Actually, the directories are available to anyone in the stake who has an LDS Account.

But personally, I trust that the Church would not release such directories with this security unless they felt it was safe. The Church is very concerned with the safety and privacy of its members, and particularly the children.

That said, any family can make its own decisions, and the stake president or bishop can make decisions at the stake or ward level regarding the local policy on the inclusion of pictures.
Questions that can benefit the larger community should be asked in a public forum, not a private message.
lajackson
Community Moderators
Posts: 11460
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:27 pm
Location: US

#4

Post by lajackson »

kisaac wrote:I don't have the answer to that one...Any thoughts?

Yes. Listen to your wife. [grin]

Then you and she share your concerns with the bishop in private (or even in ward council), follow the counsel and listen to the Spirit.

Your bishop may suggest that photos be limited to adults and not youth and children. He may suggest that photos are ok for all, but that the parents should carefully decide if they wish to post them.

Ultimately, it is up to the parents. And I think your wife has a valid point, although I also believe the Church feels the site is adequately secure.

I am not familiar enough with the beta site to know what restrictions or suggestions are made there, especially concerning youth and children.

I assume that members still may opt out of the Local Unit Web Site completely.
nutterb
Member
Posts: 276
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:06 am
Location: Berea, KY, USA

#5

Post by nutterb »

The policy I've recommended to my ward is that we post a family picture, and a picture of the adults. We will only post pictures of youth or children upon the family's request. We do the same for individual phone numbers and e-mails for this age group.

One reason I recommended this policy was because I know that I wouldn't want my daughter's picture on the website, and I figure that it would be less hassle tracking those who want their children's information on the directory than those who do not.

Another argument I've made is that children change rapidly, and I don't want to have to deal with uploading new pictures for that many people on a regular basis. I'll have my hands full enough doing just the adults.
russellhltn
Community Administrator
Posts: 34422
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:53 pm
Location: U.S.

#6

Post by russellhltn »

All good arguments. I think one argument for posting is to help the primary teachers learn their student's names. However, It doesn't have to be the website.
Have you searched the Help Center? Try doing a Google search and adding "site:churchofjesuschrist.org/help" to the search criteria.

So we can better help you, please edit your Profile to include your general location.
kennethjorgensen
Community Moderators
Posts: 427
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:29 am
Location: Alnwick, UK

#7

Post by kennethjorgensen »

kisaac wrote:I don't have the answer to that one...Any thoughts?
I share your wife's concern, she is wise.
danpass
Senior Member
Posts: 514
Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:38 pm
Location: Oregon City, OR
Contact:

#8

Post by danpass »

kisaac wrote:As ward clerk, I was showing the Primary President (my wife) the new beta directory, and told her we now can take pictures of all the kids individually and add them to the directory so the bishop could see and get to know them.

She said it wasn't safe and we shouldn't do it. Her explanations are that a child predator tries to find any info about kids, such as a name, a parents name, siblings, or addresses, and will use that to convince a child they are a "friend" and not a stranger. Having a photo next to their name in the ward directory would give a potential dangerous person the ability to recognize a child, their address, siblings, etc.

I explained that these directories are only available to ward members who have made an LDS account. Her response: "You are ward clerk. Do you know every name on our ward list, even those who don't come? How can you be sure a dangerous person we don't know about won't access our ward directory?"

I don't have the answer to that one...Any thoughts?
RussellHltn wrote:I think one argument for posting is to help the primary teachers learn their student's names. However, It doesn't have to be the website.
The new site has been designed to present personalized content and resources based on the calling held by the LDS Account holder. If the ability of ward and stake members to view photos of children and perhaps also youth, could be restricted to those with specific callings, the valid concerns over safety and privacy could be addressed, while at the same time, designated leaders and teachers would be able to benefit from this resource.
User avatar
mkmurray
Senior Member
Posts: 3266
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:56 pm
Location: Utah
Contact:

#9

Post by mkmurray »

danpass wrote:If the ability of ward and stake members to view photos of children and perhaps also youth, could be restricted to those with specific callings...
That's a really good point, worth considering in my opinion.
russellhltn
Community Administrator
Posts: 34422
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:53 pm
Location: U.S.

#10

Post by russellhltn »

mkmurray wrote:That's a really good point, worth considering in my opinion.
If done, I'd like to see it implemented as a local option. Parents interact with their children's playmates. They may want to raise a concern with someone and need to match a name to a face.

However, I think limiting stake-wide access for those without primary/youth callings would be a good thing. Most people have a grasp on who is in the ward. They have no clue who is in the stake.
Have you searched the Help Center? Try doing a Google search and adding "site:churchofjesuschrist.org/help" to the search criteria.

So we can better help you, please edit your Profile to include your general location.
Post Reply

Return to “Family Safety with Technology”