Posted by psych chat on October 30, 2009, at 16:32:48
In reply to Re: another setting, posted by Dr. Bob on October 30, 2009, at 11:54:31
I can only speak for myself, but I would guess having that option/setting installed - from the registration/update registration - to have or not have Twitter/Facebook linking icons at the bottom of one's posts would keep people here and allow one post more supportively, and possibly bring back those who left.
For new users - as far as opting out rather than in - that should work as long as it is CLEARLY stated (as opposed to being covertly imbedded into some jargon) their posts could be linked to Facebook/Twitter using the icons if they choose to not opt out. You should also tell them their initial post will be tweeted out by you to welcome them. Having the opt out feature may also enable you to sort via some kind of filter to aggregate those comments you cannot include in your research (if the research material was linked to their personal Facebook accounts, thereby identifying the research subject).
Even with that change, having thought about this situation in depth, I personally would still be reluctant to post any information concerning my mental health issues and would not be able to be as supportive with others, because the level of confidentiality/privacy and security is lower here than most mental health forums.
But that change may work for most people. It could have prevented Dinah from leaving. Since you track cookies, etc., I'd think there was some way to find out who was doing that to her, who kept clicking on the icons of her posts, so they could get a PBC from you. Unless that was a coincidence, that was bullying. And MUCH worse uncivilty than others who I've seen receive PBCs.
I still think that as a psychiatrist bound by ethics, you should provide reasonable precautions to preserve safety, confidentiality, and security at your forum - allowing people to edit/delete posts and a layer of security to prevent everyone's post from showing up on Google. Actually, as a medical professional, your precautions, imo, should be above average - but at present, they are below average.
I will continue to advocate for those features for mental health forums, especially this one. It should, imo, be a requirement for all health-related forums (I'm not going to state all the reasons-but clearly, employment is a huge factor). Mental health forums should be a priority due to reasons stated by the APA, obvious reasons.
You might still have some concerns about legal action, however, being that people with a certain level of mental health instability cannot actually 'consent' to some of your actions.
Thanks for being receptive to that idea.
> > perhaps if he respected our concerns, he could allow the option to opt IN for the tweet/facebook icons at registration (or when updating registration). Those who agree to it will have the icons on their posts; those opposed/concerned for their privacy or safety, could choose to not have the icons at the bottom of our posts.
> >
> > Why have a registration/logon if you can't change any other settings except "babblemail"?
>
> Hmm, that should be possible. It could be another setting, and the server could check it to decide whether to display the buttons. I'd keep it opt-out, like the "do not share/tweet" list (which wouldn't be needed anymore). Would that be an acceptable compromise?
>
> Thanks for proposing an alternative!
>
> Bob
poster:psych chat
thread:922472
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20090813/msgs/923542.html