Webcams: Good or not so good? (Earth)

[YmirGF]

I have owned a webcam for several years and actually have seldom used it. In fact, it hasn't been hooked up for a couple of years. Last night, I first heard about the rise of a trend amoungst young males to use their webcams for rather unusual purposes.

Justin Berry told his story last night on CNN. It is a bit of a shocker.

I would heartily recommend that any parent of a child with a webcam, immediately go to their room and get them to disconnect said device. As one psychologist said, "I cannot think of any reason why children need to have the ability to broadcast images of themselves around the world."

It was also suggested that for legitimate purposes, like family conversing with a family member, say, stationed in Iraq or out of town in general, bring out the camera, do the conference, but when the conference call is over, pack it up and put it away.

What are your thoughts on this?

[Pah]

Actually, the practise is not confined to males and is also avaiable on cell phones. It has been around at least since before the century. But perhaps the eBay wrinkle is new.

[Buttons*]

well... we all know what Chrissy thinks about webcams...

[CaptainXeroid]

Well...as soon as Ashley & Alyssa get their Web-Cam installed on their thread, it will be a good thing.

Otherwise, it is a tool and intrinsically neither good nor bad. As with other applications of technology, it can be misused in a way that puts children at increased risk.

I think the problem is not the web cam but lackadaisical parents who let their children have one but don't instruct them on proper use and the potential consequences of its inappropriate use, but then I think a lot of the trouble kids are getting into these days is truly the fault of parents who are more interested in being their kid's friend instead of being a parent.

[Buttons*]

actually, i was thinking about making video podcasts with a few friends... not quite like webcam, but that's enough

[evearael]

Immeadiate gut reaction... the father and the abusers need to die. Where on earth is the mother!?! Anyone who exploits or harms a child like this deserves no pity. This is why all good parents need to be involved in their children's lives and keep tabs on who is able to access them in any way, be it snail mail, e-mail, phone calls, visits, etc.

[Maxist]

He deserved to be molested by the veiwers, and they deserved to go to jail. I too agree with Evearael for the most part on just about everything.

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by Maxist

He deserved to be molested by the veiwers, and they deserved to go to jail. I too agree with Evearael for the most part on just about everything.

What the hell? The child deserved to be molested? No child, not matter how 'evil' or how different they deserves to be molested, not ONE! I'm not sure where you have gotten your twisted thinking, but I hope you NEVER have children.

[Bishka]

I have a webcam, and have had it for over a year. There are very strict restrictions that can be put on a webcam, and my father has done it for my sister. I think they are just fine if the parent makes sure things are okay and nothing wrong is being done.

I got my first webcame through my husband(finacee then) and it was only because he was in Idaho, I was in Utah and during our 4 month engagment we were apart(the whole time), we wanted to be able to see each other, so he bought us webcams, which helped greatly when I got homesick for him.

[Sunstone]

I agree with The Captain and others that this is first and foremost a problem with the parents. I slightly differ from The Captain in that I think the parent's behavior cannot be summed up as their wanting to be their son's friend instead of their son's parent. My gut tells me there is a lot more wrong with those parents than merely that.