Google Puts Kids at Risk by Automatically Enrolling Gmail Accounts into Google Buzz

Do you have a Gmail account? What about your kids?  Last week while preparing for a presentation, I decided to find out more about Google Buzz, the newest and most controversial (at the moment) social network site.  Although I am a fan of social network sites like FaceBook, Twitter and YourSphere (for kids); Google Buzz puts inexperienced social network users at great risk.

When Google Buzz was released in February, it automatically enrolled all Gmail accounts into the new social network site. In addition, they synced all of your Gmail contacts into your Buzz account.  This meant you automatically began following all Gmail accounts in your contacts list. This became public information and many people didn’t even realize it was out there.  Many people were upset because you had no choice. It caused many problems when private contact lists became public.  Doctors and patients were revealed, clients, prospects and even those that had a private Gmail because they had been abused or stalked.  Fortunately, within several days, Google changed some of these features.

I set up my account and soon began to realize why so many people were upset with Google Buzz.  They continue to automatically enroll you in Google Buzz. All Google Buzz accounts are public until you change the settings.  Most social networks are set up the same way; you have to set up your own privacy settings.  When you choose to join a social network, that is fine, but what if you didn’t choose to join it?

I began my research by typing “school name” into the Google Buzz search bar.  Guess what I saw?

I saw postings from 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.  These posts not only have pictures and full names, they had cussing, name calling, mean comments, gossip and sharing private information such as email addresses, name of the school, etc.  On the other hand, I did see some kids that stayed safe online and even defended their friends when mean comments were posted.

I wonder if they would have posted the same comments if they knew it was open to the public.  Those posts are available to 176 million Gmail account holders.  Until they realize this and make their account private, they are literally posting to the world, without any filters.  Unfortunately, even when you set your account to “private”, some of your comments will be posted publicly.

Then I chose another search and found some suspicious activity. This post and comments show signs of a classic predator at work (blue posts).  Use this as a tool to teach your kids how predators work.

Predators often join in the middle of comments, establish a connection and begin asking personal questions.  First and last names have already been established so they ask age and school.  This is the exact information we teach our kids not to share over the internet.  Remind kids that online people are not always who they say are.  Predators spend time researching what kids like and their lingo. Predators take their time, sometimes spending 6 months to set up a meeting.  Our kids need to know the signs so they respond appropriately and block the suspicious account.

Parent tips:
•    Talk to your kids and find out if they have an email account/s or are on any social network sites
•    Teach them how to respond if someone asks them for private/personal information online

UPDATE: Please note that according to Gmail’s terms of service children under the age of 13 may not have a Gmail address.
If you are under the age of 13, you will receive this message below when signing up for an account.

The age restriction is based on the requirements from the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). “The primary goal of COPPA and the Rule is to place parents in control over what information is collected from their young children online.” Websites that are collecting, using and disclosing personal information must have parental permission in order for their children to participate.  Many social network sites and email providers do not want to be held liable for this and choose to have age restrictions rather than set up parental permissions.

Cammie Moise

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