Menino's Teen Data Sharing Proposal Draws Criticism

Child advocates are raising privacy concerns over a new proposal Boston Mayor Thomas Menino is unveiling at a youth violence prevention summit in Washington Monday. The plan would allow schools and social service providers to share information about teenagers and their families.

Stephen Schaffer of the Judge Baker Children's Center in Roxbury said better communication is needed, but not at the expense of one's privacy.

"Certainly in mental health there are very clear safeguards, there's no communication except under very unusual circumstances," Schaffer said.

"Any plan to coordinate communication for kids needs to carefully take into account the legal and ethical protections that kids and their families enjoy."

City officials say the only way to break the cycle of violence is to address broader family issues.