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Australian Govt. Proposes Internet "Panic Button" For Kids

Posted by timothy on from the panic-panic-panic dept.

CuteSteveJobs writes "Children who feel they are being bullied, harassed or groomed online could call for help instantly using a 'panic button' on their PCs under a plan by the Australian Government's cyber-safety working group. The button shall look like a 'friendly dolphin,' who will connect the child victim instantly to police or child protection groups. Australian Internet Censorship Advocate Hetty 'Save the Children' Johnson says the Internet needs something like 000 or 911. Will this be another scheme wasting taxpayer dollars in lieu of parental supervison, or could it actually work? Are 1 in 4 children really sexually abused by the Internet? Can flaming and trolling be classified as bullying?"

14 of 434 comments (clear)

  1. Definitely questions for... by CannonballHead · · Score: 4, Funny

    Will this be another scheme wasting taxpayer dollars in lieu of parental supervison, or could it actually work? Are 1 in 4 children really sexually abused by the Internet? Can flaming and trolling be classified as bullying?

    I'm sure there are plenty of experts on Slashdot that are very qualified to answer. ;)

    1. Re:Definitely questions for... by oldspewey · · Score: 5, Funny

      this would encourage people to use the panic button for stupid reasons

      Brittany left a really mean posting on my FaceBook wall. She keeps saying I still like Shakira when I told her, like, three weeks ago that I don't like Shakira anymore. So now Brittany keeps telling everyone at school I bought those purple sneakers to match something I saw on Shakira's video when I told her already I didn't even see that video until, like, yesterday.

      --
      If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
    2. Re:Definitely questions for... by plover · · Score: 4, Funny

      Show me where on the dolphin he touched you.

      --
      John
    3. Re:Definitely questions for... by Dersaidin · · Score: 5, Funny

      The BLOWHOLE????

  2. Re:That's... by ColdWetDog · · Score: 4, Funny

    Come and see the violence inherent in the system!

    Help! Help! I'm being repressed!

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  3. Re:That's... by _PimpDaddy7_ · · Score: 4, Funny

    You're a meanie!

    I've pushed my button:
    http://jezlyn.files.wordpress.com/2006/07/easy-button-hack.jpg

    The authorities are going to get you, meanie!!!

  4. Re:That's... by ls671 · · Score: 4, Funny

    What do you mean, I just called 911 because I have been modded down on Slashdot and they said its being taken care of...

    I wish I had that panic button.

    P.S. I am 11 years old.

    --
    Everything I write is lies, read between the lines.
  5. So long by j-stroy · · Score: 4, Funny

    and thanx for all the filth!

  6. achievement unlocked by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 5, Funny

    achievement unlocked

    you are a regular pusher, well done!

    pressing the panic button 50 times in a minute unlocks this award and gives you access to Juvie hall.
    Extra Rewards: Parents must pay $500.

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  7. Oh honestly now... by greatica · · Score: 5, Funny

    How can Dolphins save you from the net when they get caught in them all time?

  8. The OTHER online bully by CarlosHawes · · Score: 5, Funny

    So could I use this to report Internet "bullying" the next time Windows Genuine Advantage pops up to see if I have handed over my lunch money to Redmond as required?

  9. Re:Are penguins friendly too? How about beasties? by Penguinisto · · Score: 4, Funny

    "click"!? In *BSD!?

    *blink* .... *blink*...

    (turns to crowd - )

    It's a HERETIC! BURN HIM!

    --
    Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
  10. Looking forward to 4chan by MathiasRav · · Score: 5, Funny

    (User has been arrested for this post)

  11. Re:That's... by Jazz-Masta · · Score: 4, Funny

    This will be incredibly abused. Not to mention the ability for virus/malware to disable the panic button or abuse it (cry-wolf).

    I imagine it would go something like this:

    You suck, vii is way better than emacs

    You: Hi Interweb Police?
    The I-Pol: I see you have an emergency, how can I help?
    You: Some noob on /. said vii was better than emacs.
    The I-Pol: I see, this is an issue, when in fact, Notepad is better than both.
    You: WTF? BOB?!