YOUR OPINIONS NEEDED!!!

VOTE: Yes, I think it is a good idea.

I am torn between thinking people love a good argument discussion too much to resist and people have enough common decency to respect an area like this.

TBH though, much as I love my rose-tinted glasses, I suspect some people would end up getting drawn into discussions that are inappropriate at best.

(When I say some I mean in that some would some wouldn't , I am not indicating that I think particular posters are more likely to do this)

Very good point Lenin, I thought the plans for amber alert would already be in place by now?!

Surely it would'nt though if it was stated that the topic was not for speculation and not for random accusations or arguments it was to provide information regarding the safety of missing children and parents.

Blinks I reckon it would be a good idea!!!

Are you trying to get a topic devoted to it or just a few threads set up in chat or other?

A 'Missing appeal' topic may be good, but again people would just need to resist the temptation to post their opinions on it and stick to the appeal itself and updates, extra links to new news stories about that person and for example yesterday on the Andrew Gosden thread someone had added information from a blog the father has been doing like that.

As long as it is verified information and not just gossip from the girls at work then things should be fine.

Anything out of order etc can be deleted through reporting so I reckon it should be fine

I will stop wittering now feel as though I am making no sense now... LOL.

You may be right Fredworm, I don't pretend to be an expert by any stretch!

TBH though I find that any posts about things like stranger danger tend to get jumped on hard by people telling everyone that the risk is so low why bother and going on about the daily mail being the source of unrealistic panic etc. None of which is particularly helpful to a parent wanting advice!

I am not sure that a talk topic would help that as such, but it may, especially if it had things like actual statistical information to link to and, for example, the NSPCCs (or other appropriate reputable organisation) advice on how to make children aware and safe.

We have many sections on here that are less used and overlap, for example Pets, The Tack Room, Chicken Keepers, Livestock but are still appreciated very much by those that use them

But we oughtn't to have a separate thread for stranger-danger and the like. That is adequately covered in parenting; teenagers; etc. It would just encourage the unrealistic over-perception of risk.

So I'm not sure that I understand the need for a talk topic.

I think that was the point about having a "closed" thread, so it is standard MN format but is "full" after just one post IYSWIM?

The point about it being on a talk section is that people could also use the section (although not those threads) to discuss safety measures, ways to introduce stranger danger to a young child and ways to convince your 13yo that, no matter how bad life gets they should always ring home just to say they are ok, and such like things that can get jumped on in other parts of the site.

Thinking about it, I suppose if the appeal threads are closed (except for updates) The area may not need extra moderation, I suppose the people on it are likely to be extra hot on anything that could cause offence or upset in any case aren't they?

i.e. allowing missing-child organisations to advertise their own, validated appeals.

I understand. That wd be awful. Perhaps free advertising space for these appeals would be better. After all, there is no extra value in having them on a talk thread, is there? If anyone has any information they would contact the organisation/police rather than post.

Fredworm, allowing appeals to be posted freely (IMHO) leaves MN open to sick sad individuals posting fake appeals for attention/money/kicks. If MN did have a section like this it would be pretty terrible for all concerned if there was any opportunity for trolling. I think that is the reason people are saying the appeals should be verified in some way, perhaps by linking to the Missing Kids site, unless you can think of a better way this could be done?

Of course it's great if MN can help with publicity in cases of missing children. Like the Andrew Gosden threads.

BUT I absolutely would NOT like anything other than a perfectly standard topic operating the normal way.Checks and validations from other organisations? Different levels of moderation? links back to organisations instead of ordinary comments? If it can't be done as a standard topic it oughtn't to be done on MN. There are MANY equally good causes and it would be arbitrary to give such distinctive treatment to one of them.

Why not just publicise International Missing Child day on the homepage, and perhaps through a webchat, and perhaps adding a standard topic for appeals?

Blinks this is such a good idea. Surely mners would respect the need for such a forum and allow it to be used for the good it can do, thereby reducing the need for moderators? However, maybe I am overly optimistic.

We can all, as parents, appreciate the horror it must be to lose a child. Surely any parent would want to support any help that could be given to anyone in this situation. I for one, fully support your suggestion.

Good idea Blinks. Like the suggestion of posting a link straight back to the organisation rather than an open forum. Would help keep the focus on the subject matter.

Oh right, just you said in your op you were posting in other sections. Just me being confused again!

Well, I think it sounds like a great idea.

Does anyone else have any thoughts? Can you link the other threads you posted?

good Idea
if it gets publicity for andrew gosden

Sorry X posts!

Yes you are right, it just seems that the merest hint of someone suggesting that a child could be snatched or hurt by a stranger brings out the polar opposites in some people.

Fair point but, what about missing mothers (for example)? I am not trying to be difficult just pre-empt some of the things that may come up.

I agree that it would work best for children only. It would help if it was not a charitable organisation, I suppose, although I don't think that would be the end of the world in itself. It would just mean it would need more careful thought.