Explicit Language on AOL?
As I was reading through the most shocking moments, I clicked on a video that AOL had linked on the web page from "You Tube", it was a video of Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie peeing on herself.
Now, it wasn't her peeing on herself that shocked me; it was the fact that they had really explicit language on the video, words such as s--- and b----. I actually was quite shocked at first, seeing as how this was America Online.
So, I kept going through the next few "shocking moments" and came to another video, this was Pete Wentz, the singer of Fall Out Boy jumping into a fight, he then jumped back on stage and then called the guy he was fighting a "f------ a------".
Now, I am not pruddish by any means. I must even say that I have somewhat of a nasty mouth myself (something I'm not necessarily proud of), but for the largest internet provider in the world to have material on a website with explicit language in it just blows my mind. There were no warnings that there would be language like that in the material, and I kept thinking, what if a kid were looking through this stuff. Granted, kids today hear that language every where, but why would it be on a web page of the biggest internet provider in the world? I guess it just goes to show you that your kids aren't away from that kind of language, even when you are paying for it.
So, after reading the rest of the " The Most Shockin Moments on Stage", I decided to contact AOL and see what they had to say about it. The conversation below is me (screen name Lilly7124) talking to an AOL representative. There were no excuses for why the video's were on there and no promises of taking the video's off (I wasn't expecting that anyway). I just wanted to see what they had to say about the content that they had provided. As you will see, the representative basically told me to complain to another part of the website.
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Hello, Lilly7124. Welcome to Questions about AOL Live Help Support. My name is Sharon.
AOLTechSHA
Great evening! I appreciate the opportunity to handle this for you.
AOLTechSHA
You have stated your concern as: I just clicked on "Most Shocking Concert Moments" that you have on the welcome screen, and as I was previewing what AOL had on there, I noticed that a few of your "You Tube" videos that were on there had explicit languages, from the word "b----" to "s---"
AOLTechSHA
This is not the experience we want you to have. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
Lilly7124
I was wondering why there would be such explicit language on a page in which young children can view, I think that it is completely inappropriate
AOLTechSHA
I apologize for any offense the item has caused. The AOL® service is dedicated to improvement and meeting the needs of our members. We want to hear more about your concerns.
AOLTechSHA
Then to report the content, take note of the URL address of the video appearing on the AOL toolbar. Visit AOL Keyword: NOTIFY AOL then click WEBPAGES link on the left-side of the screen. Type the address of the video, and a brief description of the violation and click SEND.
AOLTechSHA
Rest assured, I will also be submitting your comments to the AOL Development Team. They use feedback like this to make improvements to the service.
Lilly7124
AOL is set up for the entire family to be able to use it, and yes we can set up certain programs for the children to be able to view, but how can we keep our kids from viewing such videos when there isn't anything warning us about the explicit content on the material?
Lilly7124
Okay thank you.
AOLTechSHA
As long their screen names are set up to Kids Only and Young Teens they will not be able to access those videos.
AOLTechSHA
You're most welcome! Thank you very much again for bringing this matter to our attention.
Lilly7124
okay, just wanted to let you know about the videos
Lilly7124
thank you and I will take your advice on notifying AOL
AOLTechSHA
You're welcome! We appreciate you letting us know how you feel about this feature. We heavily rely on member feedback and the suggestions we receive from you about how to make your online experience more enjoyable.
AOLTechSHA
Thank you for visiting AOL® Live Help. If you need assistance in the future, just visit the Live Help area at AOL® Keyword: LIVE HELP or on the Internet, go to http://contactus.aol.com/.
AOLTechSHA
Have a great evening!
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Published by Carmen Contos
I was born in Fort Myers Florida and have lived here my entire life. I have been married for 3 years. I have been working at a hair salon for six years, and also attend Edison College. View profile
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4 Comments
Post a Comment(The comment system cut me for length, I guess, here's the rest of the comment that I started below...) ..."service" right away. I would be canceling the "service" right away. And yeah, I've got a potty-mouth going on now and then myself. I am not by the furthest stretch of the imagination a prude when it comes to using bad language. Used correctly (which even I have trouble with now and then) it emphasizes a point. But I wouldn't want my kids listening to it.
I almost fell out of my chair laughing when I got to this:
"This is not the experience we want you to have. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention."
Like they really care.
"Sharon's" opening statements were hilarious, too, considering "Sharon" is outsourced from India:
"Great evening! I appreciate the opportunity to handle this for you."
"Great" evening? Wouldn't that be "Good evening"?
The most damning part is how she goes on and on about how AOL does not allow such content. If they don't, then why was it up for all the world to see? How does this "slip" past their supposed editorial control?
And God, Fergie peeing on herself? On any website, that would be disgusting, on AOL's more so. All the kids that must be looking at that, and listening to all the bad mouths, too. For shame.
I know if I was a member of AOL and had to add AOL properties to my Parental Control lists just to block access to such tawdry content, I would be canceling the "servic
Glad you put them in their place...
That's pretty crazy Carm! Way to go on calling them on their own shit! No pun intended... ;D