[jackie treehorn]

um I hope he hasn't been looking up how to build bombs! Why would somebody post that? I feel like I'm loosing it here. Does nobody else see the issue with giving uncensored access to Pornography and Bomb making to untraceable Blackberries a NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT??? What kind of site is this anyways? I thought this was a community?

chaszone -How do I turn off the data service on his phone? Does that mean he can still send messages to his friends? I don't understand what the difference is?

There's a simple solution. TAKE THE PHONE AWAY!!!!

[zarzamora_hermosa]

Err... there are already free safeguard features available to install on BlackBerrys that limit what kind of sites can be viewed from the device. It is stupid to try to replace smart parenting with censorship. If you want to limit your son's pornography indulgence, then download an appropriate filter to his BlackBerry. This sounds like YOUR problem, not society's. If I do not want my children to watch pornography, I download restrictive filters so they cannot do so; it is asinine to think that the proper solution is to restrict the capabilities of all BlackBerry devices and the internet. You clearly lack the competence and understanding of BlackBerrys or the internet. That "nanny" you speak of... is suppose to be every parent, they are the ones who are suppose to monitor their children's behavior.

[chaszone]

um I hope he hasn't been looking up how to build bombs! Why would somebody post that? I feel like I'm loosing it here. Does nobody else see the issue with giving uncensored access to Pornography and Bomb making to untraceable Blackberries a NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT??? What kind of site is this anyways? I thought this was a community?

chaszone -How do I turn off the data service on his phone? Does that mean he can still send messages to his friends? I don't understand what the difference is?

Just call your providor. Tell them you want to turn off the Data service off on his Blackberry. He will still get text and picture messages, but no Internet and BB Messenger.
And i wrote that as an example for you to see there are far worse things out there... If I would have stolen from my parents, I would have got in A LOT of trouble... AND I would have been given one of those emergency phone where they only call 4 pre-set numbers.

[SevereDeceit]

What? Why would it be closed?

Because every porn thread I've ever seen here gets out of hand, this one is no different, you've seen some of the responses already, this is only the beginning...

[jeremyblaze]

Kid does something which the parents could have easily prevented and they quickly blame any and everyone else. Be a parent... Block data! Put passwords on the phone and your cards. Don't blame others.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[union95bb2]

Porn is what? Something like 40 billion dollars a year industry???? Porn is EVERYWHERE! I wish I had a bb when I was 14... ****, even if I didn't have any friends to call or text I'd want one just for porn!

You're on a site which, imo, is full of bb addicts who want more more more, and you're talking about restricting our phones?!?! And you're looking for anyone to support this?!?! Really?!?

I'm not going to say anything about beating children or anything, but I knew (as a child) when I heard the crack of a belt (or that damn wooden spoon)... It was time to STOP WHAT I WAS DOING AND NEVER EVER DO IT AGAIN! Now the kids threaten DYFS and all this other stuff... It's a different world we live in...

Anyway, I digress.... You may want to hit up a parenting support group, or forum if you're looking for support on this issue...

[jeremyblaze]

Don't mean to be a hater just tired of no one taking responsibility

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[70th]

Look I'm not a blackberry user but I thought I could talk to the Blackberry Community as a whole who's best interest would be served in banning pornographic material from the Blackberry internet. Pornography is already on everyone's PC, but why does it have to be so readily available on your Blackberry as well? Let's think of the greater good here. I know that in a court of law the Porn King Pins would win but that doesn't mean we can't change the law and force carriers to be more morally conscious of what is viewable and what is not. Just look at what they've done in Australia!

Most phones can access the internet, this isn't a blackberry issue. Well its anot an issue at all in my view. But as others have said, remove the internet access from his phone, he will still be able to send messages, makes calls etc, and theres your problem solved. But going on porn sites isnt really that much of an issue, however stealing your parents credit card and using it to view porn is.

[Nemesi5]

i dont see the big deal. i would ignore the situation as long as hes no stealing yoru credit card info. as a 14 yr old he will watch as much porn as he can from anywhere and thats just what will happen whether you like it or not. i mean i can understand like ages 1 - 12 or but you trying to get in the way of puberty wont prevent a teen from not exploring sexual nature.

[wetwilly]

You have a child that will steal from you, that you obviously can't trust. Your solution is in your bathroom, in the mirror. You need to address this NOW. Imagine what he will do in a couple of years when he takes your car and takes off. Good luck!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[thebeags]

I would be more concerned with the fact that he stole your credit card to purchase something that he didnt want you to know about. Who knows what else he has purchased with it.

Funny, stole your credit card to buy porn, but needs the blackberry to keep in touch with his church group? Irony.

[vanrunner]

ha ha don't worry, he got in trouble for stealing my credit card. I couldn't believe he actually did that to be honest but it's my own fault. I think he and his friends did it actually.

Ok so no internet is a good fix for now. But I'm not a mean parent so if anybody can help me with the filters thing that would be great.

I still believe that this is not my responsibility as a parent though. Our government is supposed to protect us from things that might cause us harm and even if Pornography is pretty mild in comparison to Bomb Making or Terrorism I still think they should control this. I mean wasn't it just a little while ago that those terrorists in India used Blackberries to kill all those people in that hotel? Why is it that this is even allowed? Why do we have to wait for terrible things to happen before anybody takes any action and even then it's not enough?

Does nobody else find this extremely scary?

p.s. to SevereDeceit - I can see what you mean. I'm almost regretting coming here. Maybe I should have kept it quiet. It's kind of scary and I'm not even a blackberry user. Sorry I didn't mean to offend anyone. I just wanted help.

[rj5570]

I wouldnt be so worried to him viewing porn on the phone. I would be more worried what he does with those feelings.

Kids will see things that parents do not want them to see. its natural curiosity.

instead of blocking content, you should be talking to your son openly about this. and teach him about his body, and how to interact with the opposite sex.

this is not a blackberry issue. as it has been stated above, you can control the data access on the phone. also as stated above, why give a child a phone with internet access. thats like giving a kid a bag of fireworks and a lighter and telling him not to set them off. (and it sounds like you didnt bother to tell him not to set it off)

we as a community need to worry about and help raise our kids. but blocking content, asking for the government, or a company to is not right.

its a tough time to be a parent. i am not, but I would be worried as well. that is why parents need to be more present in their day to day life. it seems to me some parents (not saying you, but as a culture) spends almost as much time raising their kids as they do the family pet.

so, if I were you, I would be addressing the issue of him stealing a credit card and his interest in porn instead of posting on a site to block content.

not being harsh, i am sure your just confused, frustrated and wish this hadn't happen.

just talk to the boy and teach him.

[Blue Shift]

I feel like I'm loosing it here. Does nobody else see the issue with giving uncensored access to Pornography and Bomb making to untraceable Blackberries a NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT??? What kind of site is this anyways? I thought this was a community?

First off, how is uncensored access to Pornography a national security threat? Secondly, how can you say "Does nobody else see the issue with giving uncensored access," without realizing you're the one that gave him access in the first place?

[union95bb2]

Funny, stole your credit card to buy porn, but needs the blackberry to keep in touch with his church group? Irony.

Nice observation

[vanrunner]

not being harsh, i am sure your just confused, frustrated and wish this hadn't happen.

just talk to the boy and teach him.

Thank you sir. Very comforting words. I just don't understand these things and was hoping people could help.

[suvettez400]

Maybe im just igorant, but why does a 14 year old need a blackberry? I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with the op but reality is, some of these phone out there are made to mimick if not replace a computer while on the road. I don't see someone putting the r&d into a software to babysit a cell fone.

[dlgus]

Dear Blackberry Community

Recently I caught my 14 year old Son using his Blackberry to view pornographic material using a Adult web site ****** for which he purchased a membership too using my Master Card. I was under the impression that the Telephone companies controlled what sites could be accessed by our phones much the same way as I can control what my Son views on our computer but I was Very Very Wrong! All of his friends use Blackberry's to keep in touch for school and our Church and after taking it away from him for a week I can already see the negative social effect it's had on him.

Now I have no issues with Adults viewing pornography and this is not what this is about. I think we need stronger controls on what is viewable from the Blackberry phones so that we can keep our children away from inappropriate content. There is no net nanny for the IPhone or Blackberry.

If you are against pornography being accessible to your child's cell phone please visit my New Facebook Group "Ban Blackberry Pornography" so that we can show the government that we need safeguards in place for our children's sake.

Thank you,
A Concerned Parent

P.S. In the interest of full disclosure I did receive an apology letter from ***** and a full refund. I'm still not happy that our Telephone companies can let this happen though!

Well, my advice is stronger parental control. It is not the job of RIM or porn sites to police a child who steals a card from his parent and I assume, lies about their age to view porn.

I'm not trying to start the "at what age a child should have a bb" discussion, but I'd not have given a 14 yr old of mine a bb--I hear so many parents using the 'all of the kids have it, and I don't want my kid to be left out' excuse.

This is what happens when parents are more concerned about being friends than parents.

[dlgus]

Look I'm not a blackberry user but I thought I could talk to the Blackberry Community as a whole who's best interest would be served in banning pornographic material from the Blackberry internet. Pornography is already on everyone's PC, but why does it have to be so readily available on your Blackberry as well? Let's think of the greater good here. I know that in a court of law the Porn King Pins would win but that doesn't mean we can't change the law and force carriers to be more morally conscious of what is viewable and what is not. Just look at what they've done in Australia!

If you do not have a bb, why on EARTH does your CHILD have one???????

[rj5570]

I cant help you about blocking material, for I am the only one that has access to my phone, and I do not have kids.

you might want to run a search on this site and find out how to block the content you wish to block. I would think that you can do some of that through the Blackberry Internet Service.

remember your son is probably more crafty and savvy than you will ever be in this type of subject. so whatever blocks you put up, he will find a way around it.

just be glad you have a boy and not a girl. i have plenty of friends that have worse problems with their young teenage girls.

by the way, if i where you, i would check the contents of his pictures he takes with his phone. kids sending pictures of their private parts to each other seems to be a popular thing.

good luck to you and God Bless.

[chaszone]

I still believe that this is not my responsibility as a parent though. Our government is supposed to protect us from things that might cause us harm and even if Pornography is pretty mild in comparison to Bomb Making or Terrorism

I dont think you will ever see eye to eye with anyone here with a statement like that. Its not the gonverment's issue or responsability. There is nothing to protect us from... I'm sorry, and im not tring to be rude, but it's all yours. It's your responsability to protect your son from what you feel is dangerous, for whatever reason. Don't rely on someone else to guide your child. It's your responsability because your "protecting" him from something you feel is wrong.

If the terrorist didnt have a BB to do harm, they would have something else...

[SoCalSpecialist]

First and foremost, im a parent as well..and im sorry to say but do u honestly think stopping ur child from reaching one outlet isnt going to push him to another? For every 3 people who will sign ur petition, 10 will bash it.

what u need to do is FIX whatever issues u have where ur child is stealing, ( and i use that word loosely ), ur card and making purchases without ur consent. Sounds like there are OBVIOUS trust issues and more importantly DISCIPLINE issues.

[Blue Shift]

I mean wasn't it just a little while ago that those terrorists in India used Blackberries to kill all those people in that hotel? Why is it that this is even allowed?

Did a bunch of people get bludgeoned to death with Blackberries in India? I must have missed that. That, or you have no grasp of correlation and causation.

[pstinger]

@polywog - I believe that national security issue was in regard to bomb making...

@vanrunner - as far as national security... BBs are traceable, quite so in fact. The request for the internet passes through a server and the government has ways (though I don't know how exactly) of monitoring that traffic. That traffic is linked to an IP which is registered to the device which is registered to a person... but that's not the issue.

As far as filtering content, etc., I'm afraid that is likely pretty far out into the future as regular web filtering took a while to get established (only assuming that the mobile web world will follow that pattern). I am sorry that the reception for your issue here was so negatively skewed, though I have found that to be the case on nearly every forum I have visited across the net. I do agree with many posters that it is your responsibility as a parent to monitor what your children do, but having a child myself I understand all too well how hard it can be when children are getting more and more clever in their ways. Aside from shutting down his access to the data package, I don't see a solution to the issue. Shut it down or take it away, he's 14, make him do some actual socialization... the BB should supplement his social behavior, not define it; I think we can agree on that.

[danhclare]

I still believe that this is not my responsibility as a parent though. Our government is supposed to protect us from things that might cause us harm and even if Pornography is pretty mild in comparison to Bomb Making or Terrorism I still think they should control this.

a great president once said government is supposed to protect us from each other, not ourselves.