What Privacy? What Price Privacy?

A new report on GDN today talked about the Bahraini parliament's proposal to clamp down on internet cafes which have been used by the youth for lewd activities. While I agree that that these shops are being used by some to surf for pornography and other anti-social materials and even worst, as meeting place for illicit and premarital sexual relations, blaming the privacy afforded by internet cafes for the deterioration of today's youth is simply absurd.

I feel the honorable gentlemen of the Parliament are barking at the wrong tree and are not addressing serious problems squarely.

I find it amusing to argue that these youth are using internet café to enjoy and abuse privacy. I still believe that privacy is only and will only be available in the home. Privacy is not about monitoring what you want your children to surf on the internet. Privacy is about trusting your children to make responsible decisions. Children will not demand nor look for privacy is they are afforded these “luxuries” in their homes. Parenthood is the precursor of privacy. Responsible parenthood breeds responsible children. And no amount of “private” internet cafes can destroy the moral fiber of a child who has received proper and responsible parenthood.

Internet cafes clamp on way
By MOHAMMED AL A'ALI

MANAMA - Tough new laws could soon be brought in to stop youngsters surfing for sex sites at Internet cafes. Children would be banned from Internet cafes under proposals backed unanimously by MPs at parliament's weekly session yesterday.

Separate male and female areas would be set up and private cubicles ripped out, to stop youngsters having sex in them or surfing for pornographic sites.

Internet cafes would be tightly monitored and their owners prosecuted if they broke the rules, under the proposals, put by Al Menbar Parliamentary Bloc.

Children and teenagers use the cafes to surf websites for pornography, or even for sites about terrorism and illegal drugs, MPs heard.

Internet cafes allow children and teenagers access to banned sites in private stalls or rooms, by logging into the network through alternative proxies, said bloc member Dr Saadi Ali.

He said that some were using the private stalls to meet their boyfriends or girlfriends and engage in sexual activities, without being stopped by workers at cafes.

MPs want the government to intervene by creating strict laws and by monitoring the cafes.

"Children from the primary to secondary stages go to these shops immediately after the school day is over," said Dr Ali, who drafted the proposal.

"Even though many have computers and Internet access at home, children prefer the café because it is more private and they can view websites without family supervision.

"Many of them lie to their parents, claiming they are studying with friends and some parents don't really care where their children spend their time."

Dr Ali said Internet use in the country was not properly regulated under specific rules and regulations.

"If a café in a Western country allowed children and teenagers access to these websites, the owner would be severely punished," he said.

"Other countries have rules and regulations, except us."

Dr Ali said technology was there to be used wisely.

"Technology should be used to get information, acquire knowledge and communicate with others around the world and not to watch immoral or terrorist sites," he said.

"The problem is those working in these cafes supply the children and teenagers with a list of the websites which contain such content.

"I know that youngsters in this age want to explore things, but that's not the right way to do it."

Dr Ali said children should be educated about right and wrong in an appealing and scientific manner.

"Allowing them complete privacy isn't a solution, because privacy is one of the main reasons the morals of our children are going down," he said.

"Everyone has the right to do what they want, but not children or teenagers, who are inexperienced."

He said children and teenagers were being fed wrong information from other sources.

"Satellite channels and mobile phones when used badly prove destructive, but both are being used under the partial supervision of parents," said Dr Ali.

"It is unlike Internet cafes, which allow complete privacy and encourage children and teenagers to browse indecent and immoral websites.

"This is why a curb on these cafes should be implemented, if we really care about children."

He said Internet shops should also be also banned from opening round-the-clock, since youngsters were sneaking out at night to use them.