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Original poster

YOUR OPINIONS NEEDED!!!

57 replies

blinks · 05/05/2009 22:01

Following on from the ridiculous Madeleine McCann thread, I need opinions and feedback on an idea for MNHQ.

I propose that Mumsnet somehow incorporates a topic or section that raises awareness of UK's missing children and young people. It could also be a place that highlights prevention strategies and general child safety. A different missing child could also be highlighted in each Mumsnet newsletter...

It would be brilliant to turn all of the negativity surrounding the issue into something positive in time for INTERNATIONAL MISSING CHILDREN'S DAY on the 25th May 2009.

It is vital, if this is to go ahead and become a reality, that as many mumsnetters as possible get behind it and either come up with some suggestions and feedback or get in touch with MNHQ yourselves to push it forward. It would be important to keep weird and unwanted attention away from such a section so that's a priority for MNHQ.

As parents wouldn't it be satisfying to offer a platform for those desparately seeking their lost children? If you think about how many members and lurkers there are, combined with the press attention Mumsnet gets- that's a pretty powerful force to make a bit of a difference rather than alot of hot air.

I'll post this in a few sections to see what people think.

-----------
here's a link to missingkids.co.uk where there's info about International Missing Children's Day

OP posts:
Original poster
blinks · 05/05/2009 22:32

But it's MUMSNET, not peoplesnet MOM. Surely the whole premise of Mumsnet is to speak to parents of children...

Also, remember Mumsnet is bigger than just the forum... many newspapers and magazines feature appeals (normally like banner ads with contact details) for missing children so I don't see why Mumsnet couldn't become involved in something similar.

I'm pretty sure the Missing Persons Bureau isn't a charitable organisation and they run missingkids.co.uk... i think it's run by the police

I think the child safety issue is also extremely relevent and important in this and deserves to be highlighted... after all, that's what the main argument was about on the MM thread.

OP posts:
fryalot · 05/05/2009 22:26

I like the idea as well, but MoM makes a very valid point.

You'd have all sorts suggesting that we actively support all kinds of charities and good causes.

Not that anyone would suggest that missing children isn't a good cause, but who are we to decide which is the BEST good cause.

I really do think it's a fab idea, but I can see all sorts of ishooes with it.

hmm...

KingCanuteIAm · 05/05/2009 22:25

I suppose if you were taking your appeals from established organisations it would mean that the posts were already verified IYSWIM. Would you allow posting of updates to an appeal thread, if so who and how would that work?

Safety ideas could do with lower moderation I suppose, although something like that can often decend into a row between the "bubblewrap" crowd and the "chuck em out at 18 mnth" crowd

MerlinsBeard · 05/05/2009 22:20

I like the idea but agree with the others. MN doesn't have "mods" in the traditional sense, we all get to report posts that we are offended by (or whatever) however, threads like that will undoubtedly lead to the need for moderation. People will and do speculate on the reasons why a child has gone missing, that may or may not be by laying blame at the feet of parents - as we have seen on the MM threads.

By the same token, would MN then have to be seen to be a platform for missing persons as well as children, and then what? How do start to associate with one charitable organisation and say no to another so publicly?

Original poster
blinks · 05/05/2009 22:15

Thanks KCIAM.

It would be an idea to link up with one or more of the missing children organisations so that any appeals are checked and validated.

Also, rather than allowing people to comment, replies could be fed through a link back to the organisations.

Mumsnet would therefore be a platform only.

We could though incorporate safety ideas and strategies for children and families generally. I can't see that would need to much moderation....????

OP posts:
Jaquelinehyde · 05/05/2009 22:13

100% agree with King.

Fab idea but will need moderation.

KingCanuteIAm · 05/05/2009 22:08

In principle I like the idea blinks. It would need to be heavily moderated though (well I think so) comments about who is responsible etc could be devestating. This would mean a lot more work for MNTowers unless others were prepared to take on moderating just for that section...

But, YES, I think this could be the perfect forum for a section like this.