Does anyone in this community use MySpace? Do you think that there are dangers associated with being a part of these social networks? Stories like Taylor Behl, and many others that seem to be emerging, I just cannot help but wonder if anyone else is cautious on these sites or if you have any precautions about posting all of your information on the internet?
I don't post all my info on the internet. I have a myspace account, that I never use. Why do I have it... because my gf has an account, and if she ever does an update, I can read what she posts. I use livejournal... but, only my friends, and very few of them, even have access to it. Though, it's a journal, and a little different from myspace.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
I was roped into MySpace. I have a few things in there, not too much. I post silly crap like I do here. As for it being dangerous? Well, I don't want to get started on an internet rant, because I will. But I did a little Googlin' on the girl in question that Ollie referred too. She was a 17-year-old college student that met this guy who turned out to be a freak and killed her. Not quite sure they met on MySpace, but that's beside the point. Basically, once your're an adult you have to monitor how much personal info. you put on the 'net. The biggest gripe I have about people who blame the internet when it bites them in the ass is they don't realize it's a global community. There are really evil, messed up people in this world. You wouldn't just make friends with strangers in the mall and give them a bunch of personal info., so why would you on the 'net? Makes no sense. The responsibility is with the individual or if they're young then it's with the parents.
I put up a few pictures, and it lists the city I live in, but that's about it. The peeps on here know more about me than the MySpace profile. The MySpace stuff is more friends and people I went to high school with, so they already know my name and all that crap. Still I try to stay low key.
The controversey has really started because of dumbass kids who post all this crap and talk to oldie pervo's and the dumbass parents don't monitor what they're doing.
Exactly, HECK! I totally agree. The problem is though that kids don't know any better. And, yes, I think the parents bear some of the responsibility too - but the reality is that predators out there admit to using myspace to look for victims (just saw that on tv...scary!!). And, what's worse is that stats show that 1 in 5 kids have been approached online by a predator. So, what do we do about that? Shutting down myspace isn't really the answer - I'm a big believer in freedom of speech. But not if we are putting kids in danger. Perhaps requiring a credit card to get in....that would deter some kids, but not all. And, absolutely educating them. There are some great resources out there to learn about internet safety as well as what to do if you encounter a predator (on or offline) like NCMEC's cybertipline (cybertipline.com) I think it is vital that all adults (parents, teachers, corporate executives) make diligent efforts to thwart the criminals going after kids. Don't you agree?
To me, the parents are putting their kids in danger. The children in question, for the most part, are apart of what I refer to as The Happy Meal Generation. The parents of the HMG were given Mr. Television as a babysitter and they try to sit Johnny Skateboard in front of the computer and everything is fine and dandy. Difference is, for whatever the reason, they are ignorant to the power and scope of the Internet. What they don't realize is letting their children skip along chat rooms, bulletin boards and online communities like MySpace is just like leaving them alone on the street, in a mall, a bar, nightclub, downtown New York, the brightest patch of sunshine and flowers or the darkest, dirtiest corner of the world.
Once these people ‘sign on’ to the net they’re opening a door to the entire world. Parents must guide their children and show them the correct path. The Internet is not a toy or a babysitter and the parents that treat it as such will have their children reap the consequences of their actions.
There are too many parents who just let their kids loose on the internet!!!
When they are young, they need to be SUPERVISED while online. I'm sorry... but, there are just too many willing vultures out there, and too many kids who don't know any better.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Oh my goodness. I came across this article that was talking about My Space, online predators as well as mentions that CyberTipline reportedly had close to 3700 reports last year of online enticement of children for sexual acts. Gross. This issue has become a huge problem and I feel like it is all over the news and each story becomes more disturbing. Here is the link to the story. http://www.twincities.com/mld/twinc...al/13845456.htm
02-09-2006 04:45 PM
