The Chosen Question:
Now that the three industry visitors have all visited the class and posed their questions it is now time to start researching and gathering information on the question that has been delegated to each group. The question chosen for my group was the CBBC question:
"How do we create a safe environment online for users without discouraging participation?"
Sunday, 20 November 2011
CBBC Presentation
The Question:
"How do we create a safe environment for children on-line without discouraging participation?"
Background Information:
Since the internet evolved, its landscape has changed many times and in recent years the success of social networking websites have have pressurised the BBC to try and hold on to their target demographic as many are opting to spend their internet time on sites such as Facebook.
The BBC highlighted that the 8+ market of children are more attracted to joining social networking websites and become apart of the wider community. The CBBC want to offer a journey from the Cbeebies to CBBC as this is where games,websites and other media content is seen to young or too old for them. The CBBC are motivated in finding an in-between ground for children to have an on-line identity but while also protecting them from threats and abiding child safety regulations. At a time where the internet is almost taking away parental control the CBBC team are trying to remain a strict, solid, foundation for children in order for them to have fun and remain in a safe position.
Audience Participation:
The main body of the question is to create a safe environment but what must not be forgotten is to make sure that the demographic still participate in the sign in process. Audience participation is a complex matter especially where children are concerned.
Child Safety Laws:
It would be naive to suggest that the question could be easily solved by allowing users to interact more freely with each other and upload their own pictures as there are many child laws and regulations that they have to abide by. The BBC for instance must stick to the rules as there place in society is to remain a public service broadcaster that abides by its remit. Therefore, they cannot be seen to be making the vulnerable demographic that is the youth susceptible to any threats from child paedophiles or even peer group bullying.
As well as the government rules of child safety there is some criteria from the BBC themselves in order to filter out any potential threats in their Cbeebies and CBBC environment. For instance, if any external web links are posted onto a message board on the CBBC sign in page they will be removed. Also, any comment that could be seen as misleading or that carries any sub text will be removed. If the user continually post inappropriate content on the message boards then there ID will be banned, although they could easily just create another ID which is a problem. These rules may be seen as strict but they have to be in order to protect all the children who have signed up.
The Future:
In the presentation the CBBC outlined their future plans. They plan to launch a "Me, my mates, my CBBC" which focuses on personalisation and anonymous multi-player games that bring the CBBC environment together.
Reflection on the Question:
The question requires research on the legal constraints around child safety on the internet. A thorough understanding of what the CBBC team have to abide by will help when thinking about audience participation. Also, the age range the CBBC have given is specific as the 8+ age range are seen to not be catered for so it would be crucial to talk to that age range as opposed to the 12 year old demographic. Overall, the question is split up into two halves with each half being important. The CBBC website has to stand alone as it provides a service that is unique and individual and with a safer environment with more audience participation it could prove popular among the age range that at the moment is captured into the social networking crowd.
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