ContactPoint children's database suffers security breaches

ContactPoint database suffers 'serious' security breaches during trial phase The controversial database containing personal details of all 11 million children in England has suffered at least three security breaches even before its nationwide launch. (link via Telegraph) I've written about the ContactPoint database before. I've always been against the idea but of course that doesn't matter. Parents don't have a say - unless you are a celebrity or a politician because they are concerned about the security of their children's details, and they can opt out!! And surprise, surprise! The big fear was that it wouldn't be secure (no database is 100% secure) and sure enough there have been at least three security breaches already - before its nationwide launch! I wonder how the parents in England that supported the idea of the database, feel about it now. Can there be anyone who still believes ContactPoint is a good idea?

Labour plans compulsory volunteer work for under-19s (but surely, it can't be voluntary if it's compulsory!)

Gordon Brown has a plan to keep young people busy by making them do volunteer work: Labour plans compulsory community service for youngsters Manifesto pledge for under-19s to do 50 hours' voluntary work Every young person will have to do 50 hours' voluntary work by the age of 19 if Labour wins the next election. Gordon Brown said a plan for compulsory community service would be included in Labour's manifesto. Under the scheme, the work – which could include helping charities in the UK and abroad – is likely to become part of the national curriculum. (link via guardian. co.uk) Now there are lots of questions that immediately spring to my mind about this plan. Firstly, how can it be called volunteer work if it's compulsory? Isn't "compulsory volunteer work" an oxymoron? And what level of service would these young people (under-19s) be providing if they are being forced to do it? And how would the "volunteers" be organized and supervised? And how would the "compulsory" part of the plan be enforced? And how would their achievements be evaluated? And wouldn't this plan make young people feel rather used? I should think they would feel as though they are looked upon as a source of free manpower disguised as "volunteers". And finally, isn't it infringing on their "right" to spend their own time as they see fit rather than be required to do volunteer work 'outside the school day'? What about the children who have planned lots of after-school activities and busy weekends with their families? Do parents get a say in this? What are your thoughts about Gordon Brown's volunteer plan for children? Do you think it's a good idea?

Children offered vouchers to quit smoking

Children as young as ten are being offered WHSmith and Body Shop shopping vouchers on the NHS to give up smoking. The £15 rewards are available to young people under 18 who can prove that they have gone without cigarettes for a month, even though they are under the legal age for buying tobacco. Vouchers for Argos, Boots, Asda and the Co-op are also available. (link via telegraph.co.uk) I think this is scheme is very wrong! The children are being rewarded for doing something they shouldn't be doing. What about all the children who don't smoke? What sort of message does this send to them? Couldn't this actually encourage children to start smoking - in order to take advantage of the programme? What about the parents of these children? Shouldn't they be held responsible? I think the NHS should find other ways to help get children to stop smoking rather than giving them vouchers to spend money in shops. Thoughts?

Children's database ContactPoint launched in England

I've been dreading this news: Children's database ContactPoint launched despite security fears ContactPoint will include the names, ages and addresses of 11 million under-18s as well as information about their parents, GPs and schools. Yes, a database of details on all* children in England is officially starting. Except it isn't all* children: Celebrities and politicians will be able to keep their details off a controversial new database listing the personal details of every child in England, it has been reported. (links via telegraph.co.uk) So, celebrities and politicians are concerned about the security of their children's details and can opt out but the rest of us parents have no say in permitting our children's details to be entered in the database! As usual there are different rules for people in power and another set of rules for ordinary citizens. Charming! And doesn't their concern about security prove that the database isn't secure? It makes me so angry that I can hardly type this post. What is happening to this country and to our rights? What are your thoughts about ContactPoint? If you are a parent in England, are you worried?

High Heels for Babies?

I think this new trend is very disturbing: A new collection of high-heeled shoes has been launched - for babies. I don't consider the shoes cute or fun and the play on words for the name of the company, Heelarious, makes me see red! They are not hilarious - they are hideous. I think the shoes are deliberately suggestive and help to sexualize a baby. Why on earth would any parent want that? What are your thoughts?

Beauty salons for little girls (as young as two!)

I just read a news article titled, Salons boom as girls yearn to grow up fast about a new trend that I find very disturbing. The article is about "Tantrum, a luxurious child-only salon" in London (and similar ones appearing outside London) but mentions that these beauty salons that cater to very young girls are already popular in the USA: Tantrum, which opened as a hairdressers six months ago, has just started offering manicures and pedicures in response to demand. 'We're getting customers who come in and ask more and more whether we offer these other services,' said co-owner Latasha Malik. 'Manicures are very popular. [Parents] ask about pedicures, they ask whether we can style and blow-dry hair for young girls, have a bit of make-up put on.' Malik said British parents were still 'conservative' compared to Americans. So far his youngest customer for a manicure or pedicure has been six, whereas salons in Los Angeles and New York regularly treat children as young as two. (link via guardian.co.uk) This kind of trend makes me feel extremely sad for all those innocent little girls. I can't believe anyone would condone this, apart from very greedy salon owners (and apparently without any moral conscience) who came up with the idea to cater to children. The fact that there is "a demand" for this kind of service doesn't mean that it should be happening. I think parents should have been told there is a minimum age and that would be that. I would really like to know how on earth parents can believe that taking their little girls to be transformed to look much older and womanly is acceptable. These parents are deluding themselves if they think it's just a bit of fun. Their little girls are being encouraged to look much older than they are, and behave that way too. I'm not an expert but I am certain that this is a very unhealthy trend. Shame on the parents and (especially) shame on the salon owners. Would you consider taking your (very young) daughter to a salon? I sincerely hope not. Please don't give in to pressure from your children. You are the parent. Just say NO!