Safe Blogging

I was amazed at the number of articles related to safe blogging. Some very interesting points came up.

For education blogs the safety and security of minor students is a great concern. On a blog titled "A Difference" the author lists several resources that can be used in keeping a blog safe for children. One of those resources laid out strict ground rules for students to post to the blog. Among the teachers instructions was to use only first names of students and to never include pictures. Avatars were strongly recommended. He also encouraged students to never give out personal information on the blog, addresses, phone numbers, etc. I think this is great advice for anyone but particularly for minors. There are a lot of sick people in the world and effort should be extended to protect school children of any age.

A different interpretation of a safe blog would be one that people feel comfortable and safe from emotional abuse from other bloggers. One teacher creates this safe environment with etiquette rules. This is a great practice for those using blogs for students of all ages. Something happens as we sit in the glow of our computer screens. Posts and comments from other people seem to be removed from actual persons. It becomes easier to say things that we would never say to someone personally. (I am reminded of the things that were posted on the KSL comment board when my co-worker died in a car wreck on I-15, people who never knew the man accused him of being high on drugs at the time, while in truth he was listening to scriptures on CD after spending a day in the family history library. Aneurysms are indiscriminate as to when they attack.) In order for a dialog to be open and honest writers need to be assured that they will not be verbally attacked by their peers.

In my research on this topic I found another article with some very helpful tips on blogging. These are geared toward corporate blogging but many could relate well to education blogging. Bloggers here are encouraged by Shel Israel to humanize their posts and remember the reader when writing. I believe these are important elements because that is what the blog is all about, people. I also like the advice from Debbie Weil to just get out and do the blog. Don't leave it on a to-do list and never get it done. Blogging takes a lot of effort but that effort can pay great dividends.