Adoption Web Sites

Not too long ago, when we wanted to locate a service, we let our fingers do the walking. Now, more of us every day let them do the surfing--skimming our keyboards, revving our search engines, and cruising cyberspace on the lookout for everything from 'A' to...well, let's start there---adoption.

The Internet is rich in resources related to adoption. Prospective parents, adoptive parents, birth relatives, professionals, adult adoptees, and others connected to the triad have good reason to get online. ("Internet Adoption Resources" page 12, will get you started.) They also have good reason to be cautious.

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Anyone and everyone can and does publish anything and everything on the Internet. Traditional, mainstream media serve a gatekeeper function--a person (such as an editor) or a process (such as fact-checking) determines what is "fit to print" or broadcast. Admittedly, today's journalistic standards have pushed the gate open pretty wide, but the Internet tears down the fence entirely. The vast freedom of the Internet makes it fascinating to use and often incredibly helpful, but the burden remains on you, the consumer, to beware. Old adages apply to new technology: You can't believe everything you read. And if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

The Truth Is Out There- Or Is It?

Given the lack of institutional standards on the Net (and leaving aside the question of whether that's good or bad), you must assess the value of the information you mine. That's harder done than said. Often you won't know for certain who authored a Web site, and when you do, you might not be able to assess the person's or institution's qualifications. Sponsors of sites, such as advertisers, might not reveal themselves. Today's software enables anyone to create Web sites, which makes it easy to climb onto this "virtual soapbox." You might well mistake a slick-looking personal Web page for one sponsored by a nationwide organization. Frequently, you can't tell how recently the information has been posted or updated. Finally, some pages are posted just for fun, but you might not get the joke and take the information seriously.

Sorting the Wheat

Sharpen your critical searching skills by learning what to look for and how to evaluate what you find. The following tips will set you on the right path.

Don't Just Trust, Verify. Does the author or webmaster claim an affiliation with a public or private organization that you can contact? If the site says the information has been provided, peer reviewed, or approved by another organization, does it provide all necessary contact information to verify the claims? Even if an organization's primary marketing vehicle is the Internet, a legitimate business still will have a geographical address, a phone number, and a person you can reach.

Assess Overall Quality. Don't overlook simple indicators of carefulness and quality. Is the page well written? Does it contain errors in spelling or grammar? If the site includes pictures or graphics, do they serve a function or simply provide flash? Is the site easy to navigate? Does it include an online archive? Thoughtfully constructed sites include search tools, indexes, tables of contents, or similar features. Be alert to missing pages and dead-end links. Well-structured and well-maintained sites show a dedication to high standards.

Cross Check. Consider whether the information you find aligns with what you've learned elsewhere. If one agency online promises to place a child in your arms within 6 months, but another agency's site says placements take at least a year, something fishy is going on. Look for consistency among sites. Investigate information from the Web in books, magazines, or journals, both on and off the Web. Talk to professionals or peer support groups about what they may have heard and what their experiences have been.

Consider Currency. How often is the site updated? Most major Web sites update their contents anywhere from on the hour to once a month. Sites that have not been updated for 6 months or longer should trigger a red flag.

Assess the Site's Objectivity. Sites should state up front their purpose and intended audience. Is the site designed to inform you or persuade you? Does the information suggest a political, cultural, or religious bias? Does the site cloak a subjective agenda to make it look like fact? Do reputable organizations maintain links to this page? Does the page include links to other pages? If so, do the pages reinforce one viewpoint or offer a broad perspective? The Child Welfare League of America (http://www.cwla.org), for example, clearly states its "Who We Are" page, listing its organizational values, goals, and legislative agenda at the top of its navigational bar.

Does the site promote a particular product or service? Many businesses and entrepreneurs see the Internet as the $nternet. Many sites don't charge you for viewing their contents but they charge advertisers to be included on their site. Be aware that advertisers or sponsors might influence the editorial content of a site.

What Is the Source? Where does the site get its information? Is the site's information proprietary or in the public domain? Does the site credit original researchers or analysts? If a Web page cites statistics, how were the data collected and analyzed?

Do not assume that you can use what you find in any way that you like. Remember that, true or not, information on a Web site is usually copyrighted. Also, if you post information on the Net yourself, you open the door to others to illegally use or benefit from your work. Lawsuits have been filed claiming fraud, slander, and libel from information posted on the Internet.

Approach Personal Web Pages with Caution. Personal pages are affordable and accessible, which are some of the characteristics that make the Web special. Nonetheless, personal Web pages might not be the best source of credible adoption-related information. They tend to provide information that is anecdotal in nature and narrow in scope. Others' personal experiences can be illuminating, but do not interpret them as representative of the adoption field as a whole.

In sum, the Internet is a fast, efficient, and far-reaching tool, and you should take advantage of it. Just make sure that you do not let anyone take advantage of you.

Web Checklist

The National Adoption Information Clearinghouse has developed a short checklist of indicators of high-quality sites. While by no means exhaustive, this list will get your critical skills sharpened.

¥ Author or sponsoring organization is clearly identified.

¥ Complete contact information is provided.

¥ The site is grammatically correct and free of bugs or broken links.

¥ The information has been updated and indicates revision date.

¥ The mission, purpose, and audience of the site is clearly outlined.

¥ Author or sponsoring organization affiliation is clearly outlined.

¥ The site is linked to by other organizations, and provides links to external organizations.

¥ Navigation is simple and information is easy to find.

¥ The information provided is authoritative, relevant, and thorough.

¥ The information provided echoes information published on other sites or in other media.

¥ Financial interests are disclosed.

¥ Advertising is clearly identified.

¥ If commercial, costs are discussed.

¥ Privacy and security statements are provided.

Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)