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The Forum > Article Comments > Refugee children vulnerable to online predators > Comments

Refugee children vulnerable to online predators : Comments

By Teresa Gambaro, published 29/10/2012

How can any refugee children finding their own carers through Facebook be suitable?

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The article's headline - 'Refugee children vulnerable to online predators' - made me think there was an issue here… Then it occurred to me that it was as equally meaningless to say "all children are vulnerable to online predators".

But then, when quoting from the Unaccompanied Humanitarian Minors in Australia report that “…some young people arrange their own carer (sometimes via Facebook or other social networking) with someone with whom they have only a loose connection.” omits the beginning of the sentence, "To avoid relocation to a different state once granted a Protection visa,…" which totally changes the context and meaning, I'm left wondering why?

Mountains out of molehills? Political expediency? Vested interests?

"… some young people…" How many exactly? After all it was a report - expecting specifics is not unreasonable.

The paragraph ends, "RCOA has also noted that some carers, although well-intentioned, lack the capacity to provide the level of support needed by some young people.10" Again, a sentence so generalised as to be useless - but I hoped the footnote reference would offer the necessary detail.

The footnote reads, "RCOA:2012:46" It may be that page 46 contains useful details, but since all my attempts to download or read the document returned corrupted file messages I can't tell. However, the Statistical Appendix to the report which I could access, didn't.

There may be an issue here. But the article certainly does not make the case.

I'm actually impressed at the self-reliance exhibited by 'some' in using means at their disposal to locate legal carers.

My main disappointment is that the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (Australia), despite having the resources to prepare reports as well as already having a website which could be used instead of Facebook, has failed to be proactive in assisting 'some' of these under 18's.

Somehow I suspect the bigger risk is giving Australian kids the idea that they might be better off if they too could arrange their own carer - whether it be via Facebook or some other social network.
Posted by WmTrevor, Monday, 29 October 2012 10:24:22 AM
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Obviously it would be better to send them back to where they came from.

They should be safe there.
Posted by Hasbeen, Monday, 29 October 2012 11:43:01 AM
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I find myself in agreement with WmTrevor! (which is something of a worry –I hope it’s not chronic)
Posted by SPQR, Monday, 29 October 2012 12:35:10 PM
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Both major parties voted to strip the minister of his guardianship role so these kids no longer have a single person in Australia to stick up for their rights.

Gambaro voted for that and this.

http://newmatilda.com/2012/10/29/weekend-protest-nauru
Posted by Marilyn Shepherd, Monday, 29 October 2012 2:34:56 PM
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