Mom=10, MySpace=0!!!! Go, Mom!!!

[merkay]

Why can't libraries block MySpace on their computers?  Seems to me this would solve quite a few problems. 

Who gets to decide which sites are "bad" and deserve to be blocked??  I'm the manager of a branch library in a very large city and I don't have many problems with MySpace.  The problem isn't the website, it's the behavior of the people using it.  If Myspace were blocked, they'd just find some other way to be annoying.  

*Hi, to all the other librarians.  I'm new here and excited to find so many colleagues.  

[Slartibartfast]

There was some legislation a few months back that would have blocked MySpace from libraries (or more specifically, blocked public funding from places that allow MySpace on their computers).  Since we still have it available here, I'm guessing the legislation didn't pass.  (I think it was a pre-election "For the children!" campain promise.)

I restrict the computers to homework or research only during after-school hours on weekdays, which the kids complain about, but if I didn't they would all spend 55 minutes of their alloted hour on MySpace, then 5 minutes researching, and complain they don't have enough time to do their homework.

[Scritzy]

I restrict the computers to homework or research only during after-school hours on weekdays, which the kids complain about, but if I didn't they would all spend 55 minutes of their alloted hour on MySpace, then 5 minutes researching, and complain they don't have enough time to do their homework.

And good for you, too!

[LibraryLady]

I restrict the computers to homework or research only during after-school hours on weekdays, which the kids complain about, but if I didn't they would all spend 55 minutes of their alloted hour on MySpace, then 5 minutes researching, and complain they don't have enough time to do their homework.

And good for you, too!

IMO, a person who will most of their time on MySpace and then complain that they only have 5 minutes for research is reaping what they sow.  OK, insert sanctimonious tone (sanct. may be misspelled) - if a student wants to spend all of his/her allotted time on MySpace - let 'em.  It is time to learn personal responsibility and time management.  I had a 10-11 year old come in this afternoon, to do a science fair project.  It was on how plants respond to varying amounts of light.  IT WAS DUE MONDAY and she thought she could get it done just out of books.  I want to cry!!!!.

Again in "my" library, you only have a total of 2 hours on computer with intervening 1 hour off. 
That is my take on it on a sloooowwwww Saturday afternoon at the library.

hollis

[merkay]

I restrict the computers to homework or research only during after-school hours on weekdays, which the kids complain about, but if I didn't they would all spend 55 minutes of their alloted hour on MySpace, then 5 minutes researching, and complain they don't have enough time to do their homework.

And good for you, too!

IMO, a person who will most of their time on MySpace and then complain that they only have 5 minutes for research is reaping what they sow.  OK, insert sanctimonious tone (sanct. may be misspelled) - if a student wants to spend all of his/her allotted time on MySpace - let 'em.  It is time to learn personal responsibility and time management.  I had a 10-11 year old come in this afternoon, to do a science fair project.  It was on how plants respond to varying amounts of light.  IT WAS DUE MONDAY and she thought she could get it done just out of books.  I want to cry!!!!.

Again in "my" library, you only have a total of 2 hours on computer with intervening 1 hour off. 
That is my take on it on a sloooowwwww Saturday afternoon at the library.

hollis

Yup.  As we say at my library, "A lack of planning of your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."   I am not these kids parents and I won't take on that responsibility.