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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:
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.

Jaquelinehyde · 05/05/2009 22:13

100% agree with King.

Fab idea but will need moderation.

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:
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?

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

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...

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:
Original poster
blinks · 05/05/2009 22:35

'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'

surely that's like most subjects on MN? LOL

OP posts:
KingCanuteIAm · 05/05/2009 22:36

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.

KingCanuteIAm · 05/05/2009 22:38

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.

Original poster
blinks · 05/05/2009 22:53

OK, MissingKids.co.uk is run by the Missing Person's Bureau which is a branch of the Police.

So, not a charitable organisation.

There are only 25 or so kids featured on the Missing Kids website so we're not talking about something enormous...

OP posts:
2shoes · 05/05/2009 22:57

good Idea
if it gets publicity for andrew gosden

KingCanuteIAm · 05/05/2009 22:57

Well, I think it sounds like a great idea.

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

Original poster
blinks · 05/05/2009 23:00

EXACTLY, 2shoes.

he looks so young and vulnerable.

OP posts:
Original poster
blinks · 05/05/2009 23:02

i'm trying to keep everyone on this thread KingCanuteIAm, so asked people to post here.

MNHQ has asked for your opinions after i approached them today, so it would be best if they're all together in one place.

OP posts:
KingCanuteIAm · 05/05/2009 23:15

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

Original poster
blinks · 06/05/2009 00:11

i did, in 'other subjects' but directed them to here. from there.

even i'm confused now...

OP posts:
MintChocAddict · 06/05/2009 00:32

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.

gibbberish · 06/05/2009 00:42

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.

FredWorm · 06/05/2009 06:36

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?

KingCanuteIAm · 06/05/2009 07:07

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?

FredWorm · 06/05/2009 07:20

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 · 06/05/2009 07:22

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

KingCanuteIAm · 06/05/2009 07:33

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?

FredWorm · 06/05/2009 07:45

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.