Safety first, safety second

Having just read the latest edition of Scouting Magazine (Aug/September 2010) I was drawn to an article that reiterated the need for the services and benefits Skowt provides.

It was in the MailBox section (p.11) where a worried District Scout Leader rightly questioned Scouting Magazine’s promotion of Social Networking sites. The benefits of these sites are becoming more valuable as social media becomes the norm for young people. The ability to share and comment on photos allows the memories of camp to flourish even after the event has passed. Social media allows young people to communicate in a way that is familiar and easy to them. Calendar and events features enable you to send information about your latest activities and camps to all your Scouts or Guides in a matter of minutes, as well as making editing details such as time and place a less laborious task.

So it is understandable that Leaders would want to use Social Networking sites to interact with their fellow Leaders, Section members and Parents. However, most Social Networking sites have an age restriction of 13. This age restriction automatically excludes Beavers, Rainbows, Cubs, Brownies and the younger Scouts and Guides ( thats about 83% of young people in Scouting).

With the value of Social Networking sites rising this begs the question; what should we do?

In the battle between using new communication tools and age restriction rules which should we promote? By promoting Social Networking sites are we encouraging our young people to break the rules? And worse are we putting them at risk?

Free networking sites operate in the public domain meaning that unless an event is created on the strictest privacy levels, which to the less computer savvy of us can be difficult to do, then anyone can access this information. For parents and Leaders alike the concept of total strangers being able to access details about their Unit or Group can make us nervous. A hastily created event can not only open up your Group or Unit to online predators but it can also tell them the exact date, time and place of your next activity not to mention the names of the attendees.

Scouting Magazine’s Editors reply was to follow good practice guidelines and to find the correct balance. We like to think using Skowt is good practice when sharing information about potentially vulnerable people online. And Skowt gives you the balance you need when sharing online whilst ensuring member safety and privacy at the same time.

Here at Skowt we anticipated the need for a social platform for Scouting and Guiding so have developed a website that meets those needs. Skowt allows safe and secure online communication between you and your Group or Unit whilst maintaining the photo sharing, commenting and events features that make Social Networking sites so attractive. Skowt is only for Scouting and Guiding meaning as well as interacting amongst yourselves as we develop the site you’ll be able to keep in touch with other friends within Scouting and Guiding too!

So if you’re faced with the difficult decision between online communication tools and keeping your Group or Unit members safe online then worry no more simply join Skowt today!

Remember – Safety first, safety second!

Happy Skowting!

Leanne – Chief Blogger