by Natalie Valios
The BBC is setting up a social networking site of its own and no doubt it would love it to be as successful as the likes of Facebook, MySpace and Bebo. But it’s not for adults, but for its CBeebies audience of six- to 12-year-olds.
Why is it doing it? According to Marc Goodchild, the BBC executive overseeing the project, because, “This is about trying to develop their internet skills and social networking in a safe, protected environment.”
So not content with encouraging young viewers to be glued to a TV screen, it now wants to glue them to a computer screen.
Speaking as someone who refuses to bow to peer pressure and join Facebook – my reasoning being that I’ve got enough real friends without needing virtual ones and I prefer to phone them, or actually see them – I’d have thought this is the last thing young children need.
Nowadays using a computer is second nature to children and sometimes playing on a computer can replace playing outside with their friends, running about, kicking a football, riding bikes, shouting and laughing, and generally using their imagination. Call me old-fashioned - and I’m sure many will - but surely this is the best “social networking” they’ll ever have.
I totally agree. The BBC should be spending licence payers' money on quality broadcasting not needless rubbish like this.