From Roadblocks to Roblox, Public to Private: Constructing, Obstructing - Continuing the Mission

PBS to Metaverse, Simply Stated: That is, life seemed so much simpler "back then", whether "back then" for You was the "Age of Golden Radio" (see yesterday here) or the days of "Ozzie and Harriet", when We all watched the same program at the same time on the same TV (for better or worse) sans remote (the early versions of this many of us termed a "channel changer"), or more recently where families, situated throughout the house on their separate devices are engaging in their preferred vices, but may at least agree to at least gather once per week for "movie night" -- which may very well be an installment on the agreed on Netflix series. But, at least pause for a second and reflect on the reality that once upon a time, in a land not so far away, what children watched, listened to (again, for better or worse on a stereo, that parents may have found highly annoying but at least they could 'listen in'), and who they talked to (usually on a wall phone in the kitchen, which was eventually extended by a chord, which 'extended' a small amount of privacy). And now? Of course, technology over decades has eventuated in a new world, one I entitle "Clandestine Communication" -- one where everything a child watches, who they talk to, and what they listen to, is private, outside the scrutinizing eyes and ears of parents. It is, if we allow it, that is. And what has all this privacy brought, wrought? Well, just look around your own home and you'll see (or maybe not, when people aren't outside because...). 

Intrusion vs. Collusion: Everyone wants and deserves a degree of privacy, including children. But how much is enough, too much you ask? Great, challenging questions, that I will try my best, with the decades of experience watching this unfold and talking with all of you, to at least ponder together. But first, I will pose as the questioner, the messenger ("Please, don't kill the...") and pose three questions, in the next post "Just Ask Yourselves"...