Bebo blues

I've been trying to get a couple of websites unblocked. I've been campaigning to get Flickr unblocked for over a month now. This has now been approved but actually unblocking it is proving problematic. Now I am the only person who can view Flickr, but only in Firefox and none of the images work.

The kids don't care about Flickr, they just want Bebo unblocked. They have been using websites that let them access blocked sites. For a while it was 'deathbyspork' until it got blocked. Recently it was problocker.cc until the IT team found that one. Now it's .... well I think I won't tell you until this one gets blocked because its useful for me so I can get Flickr images. It's a game to the kids though. They are so proud when they find a way of getting bebo.

Unfortunately, although the kids just want a social networking site, problocker-type sites do leave them able to access sites they really shouldn't. I haven't seen kids on these sites but the possibility is there.

Would we not be better unblocking bebo and teaching them what to do if they find a site of behaviour they are not happy with? I've told the kids if they can think of an educational reason for unblocking bebo then I will apply on their behalf to get it unblocked, but it always stumps them. One or two say that they use it for talking to their mum and dad, but improving family relations isn't an educational reason.

I've thought of one though. CSS. If I teach kids how to make websites using HTML they're not interested because they can make far more impressive sites at the click of a few buttons using bebo, myspace or one of the many other similar sites. However I think it would be really fun and educational to combine learning CSS and a graphics package like Paint.Net to make Bebo layouts.

It took a month for unblocking Flickr to be approved. How long do you think it will take to unblock Bebo?!

Comments

[colarusso]

We'll Kate, here's a reason to use Bebo in the classroom, an educational competition. Check out this URL: http://marshallplanusuk.bebo.com/

[Oliviaaaaaaaaaaa]

How Do You Unblock Bebo ?
Love Me x

[jordan]

my school has blocked loads of sites and its impossable to get on bebo i usta use cloakspace.com and proxyyy but now even they have bin blocked can u help plz????
lv jordan x

[??]

help!!! www.cloakspace.info

[nert]

erm...
**cough**

just add

.nyud.net

to the end of the url... it should bypass most filtering... it's the coral distributed cache.

i.e for flickr

original url

http://flickr.com

new

http://flickr.com.nyud.net

enjoy

[John Smith]

Check out this new social networking site called www.facebuddies.com , It seems pretty good, Users can upload their own movies and mp3's . Not many constraints on this site which is good as it gives the user total freedom, Oh and the games are good also!!

[bebo]

Bebo Developers is the name of a dynamic quality assertive and low cost team of developers who expertise in developing Face book, Open Social applications that include Bebo, LinedIn and iGoogle widgets.
Possessing some of the best available talent present we are proud to have developed a
Wide range of deployed applications that rank amongst the highest used by everyday Face book and Open Social applications. The increasing popularity of Face book
Applications has made every businessman want to get his hands on a Face book application that increases his market and product and this is where Bebo Develop.
Visit now: http://bebodevelopers.com"

[handyhints]

Hi Katie

As far as I am aware Flickr is NOT blocked, certainly not at the top level. Perhaps the school has blocked it inadvertently. Check it out.

Do you realise that by allowing kids to use a proxy bypass, or by using one yourself, you are breaching the Council's policies on 'appropriate usage' and could be subject to a disciplinary procedure?

Also, Bebo came last in a review of safety of social networking sites because of its poor record of authentication and also because it's based outside the UK and therefore not subject to UK law. I'd suggest you look at http://www.ceop.gov.uk/ for more information and also look at the link http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk for teaching resources to keep kids safe.

Do you realise the number of complaints teachers made about Bebo before it was blocked at the top level? Too many to count, and that was where schools had the ability to block it themselves.

As for website design, what's wrong with teaching what's behind it rather than relying on Bebo's 'three clicks and you're done' system.

Speak to your opposite number at Balerno and see how many sites he blocks at a school level...

My last point is that these sites are not blocked to be unhelpful. They are blocked for good reasons, and in the case of Bebo, child safety. If parents allow them to be used at home then they have the responsibility if anything happens but I'm sure you don't want to be the one representing the Council on the six o'clock news as the person who allowed kids access to a site which ultimatly results in one of them being hurt.

I can answer your question about how long it'll take to get Bebo unblocked - never!