Just read the non member request item about 7 year olds right to roam..

[Daffy]

I have just read the posting done by Matt and feel that it is bad taste at the moment. Maybe I am over reacting because my ds is of a similar age, but it has upset me and therefore (before any of you point out)will not look at that particular thread.

Just wanted to know your views on it.

And now it's posted again under Parenting!!!

Is it wrong for a newspaper to discuss what many people are discussing in their own homes anyway? A situation like this makes us all rethink the boundaries we set for our children. Maybe a newspaper article will help parents as they try to strike a balance between giving their children freedom and protecting them.

I was just thinking last night, isn't it nice when children are babies and you know exactly where they are?

I had not really thought about it until you started this thread, but I can see your point. My biggest concern is whether when published this article will seem to be in some way getting at the parents. They are bound to have gone over it all in there head and seeing it writen down can only make them feel worse. However as XAusted said people everwhere are bound to be talking about it, and on that basis it was only a matter of time that a media request showed up.

Maybe I am a bit persessive and don't like the idea of the 'media' snooping around our postings.

Just one thing...is there anyway of checking your spelling before you post??

Don't worry about speling. We al no wot u meen!! Let's hope there's good news about the missing boy soon.

Acutally I think it is really important that the wider issues of children's freedom to roam are debated in the media.
One of my thoughts when this boy went missing was 'oh no, the summer 'missing children' season is on us again, we are going to be subject to saturation coverage of every child who goes missing.' I think the fact that we hear so much about these stories nowadays (far greater coverage than 20 or 30 years ago) gives us a somewhat distorted perspective of the real dangers facing children and inevitably raises anxiety levels.

I have read a few of the postings on one of the threads that Matt started up. A few of the ladies stuck up for him and said that he is a lovely guy. Ok then. Why can't these people be more formerly introduced by the makers of Mumsnet so we know who they are? or was I just supposed to know??

Message withdrawn

Hi Daffy,
The reason we started a media/ non-member request topic was so that there was a distinct place for requests such as these. I hope you understand we haven't the resources to check out who's making the request - I just happen to know the person in this particular case and so was able to endorse him. I do think it's natural for journalists working in the parenting field to check out mumsnet for opinions and ideas. After all the discussions and issues raised here are a real reflection of what parents are thinking/ worrying about/ interested in, what's more we are also their audience. It's also not a bad thing for mumsnet (from a survival point of view) to be on the journalistic radar. That way when the press comes round to doing a round up of parenting websites etc we will feature and that attracts new members who potentially might pay a subscription/ buy a book/ click on an advert etc.
I know sometimes it can feel like mumsnet is a private club and I understand your uneasiness about outsiders "snooping around" but it's worth remembering that mumsnet is a website, hence a very public forum and anything you post on it is immediately out there - it's not a private chat room. I'm really sorry that you were upset by the request from the Guardian but we hope you agree that that's more because the disappearance of a 7 year old is an terrible prospect for any parent rather than the nature of the request itself. Best, Justine, Carrie and Rachel.