(Mis)Uses of Technology

(Mis)Uses of Technology

by Mike Masnick




StudentsWorstNightmare.com

from the spying-on-children-is-always-fun dept

theodp writes "In communities across the nation, parents are going online to track everything from their children's homework grades to their number of tardies. At least 6,500 schools nationwide have installed Web-based software with electronic-leash capability. It's typically used in middle schools and high schools, where grades and attendance are more of an issue. 'It's kind of like spying,' admitted a mother, who tracks her daughter's daily attendance. 'It's good, though.' As expected, some students have a very different reaction. 'It sucks,' said a Los Gatos High School senior. 'When parents can know everything, it doesn't give us a lot of freedom.'"

5 Comments | Leave a Comment..

 
 

Reader Comments

(Flattened / Threaded)

  • Oct 28th, 2003 @ 11:37am

    Just Wait Until You Work

    by Anonymous Coward

    Yeah, I mean I have this, like "boss" now who, like, sees if I actually arrive at work each day? I mean, he then makes sure that I actually do my work, and then makes sure I don't take these REALLY long lunches and then leave early. To make things worse, he then checks the QUALITY of my work by actually checking it.

    I never had to show up and do any work when I was in school, man. No one should be able to check up on you and you should do whatever you want, like hang out with your friends and stuff.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 28th, 2003 @ 11:41am

      Re: Just Wait Until You Work

      There is, of course, a difference between monitoring the overall quality of your work and spying on your every little move. Micromanaging and paranoia from the person doing the monitoring creates an environment where the person doing the work is encouraged to work to the least reasonably accepted standards rather than working to the best of their ability. Trusting your workers (and your kids) seems like a strategy that has much more long term rewards.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 28th, 2003 @ 11:44am

    No Subject Given

    by Makar

    just go to friggin school and stop biatching...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 28th, 2003 @ 12:10pm

    No Subject Given

    by Chris

    Thank God this stuff wasn't around for my senior year of high school. We had it so good back in the 80's - just keep your grades up and your parents would never suspect a thing :)

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 28th, 2003 @ 1:14pm

    Just wait until these kids get to college

    by Dan

    It seems a good number of students get a little shock when they get to college and mommy and daddy aren't holding their hand anymore.

    Just wait until these kids get there...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

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