Is MySpace Safe for Children?
How the Social Networking Site Is Working To Appease Worried Parents
MySpace is adding newer technology and more manpower to verify users' identities and ages on their profiles. But is this enough protection against predators?
With the continual growing popularity of social sites like MySpace and Facebook, an added concern has become evident to parents who are trying to keep their kids safe from yet another threat in the cyber world. Online predators continue to take advantage of the lack of restrictions on social networking sites, where children can easily fall into their traps. Even though MySpace has announced their plans to step up their security, it doesn't seem like enough is being done to protect the young individuals who access this site.
MySpace has millions of users all over the world, most of whom are in their teens or early 20s. While the site was set up with preliminary guidelines regarding who can create a profile, pedophiles, criminals, and other adults can still set up accounts. This gives them virtual access to the many young, unsupervised individuals who can’t tell that they’re really communicating with someone who has ulterior motives.
The site’s set-up to create an account is ridiculously easy. All that’s needed is a first and last name, an email address, country, region, zip code, date of birth and gender. Each and every one of these required aspects could be untrue if the user wishes. If these facts go unchecked, users could fabricate their entire profile.
MySpace's Origins
The site was intended for young adults and college students to connect with friends and classmates. MySpace has expanded greatly with its impressive reputation to include access to local comedians, bands, and even support groups for teens struggling in various areas. However, instead of serving the purpose of connecting individuals mature enough to make safe decisions, MySpace has become a breeding ground for sex offenders and bullies.
According to The Los Angeles Times on January 15th, 49 state attorneys met with Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. (he purchased the site in 2005) to discuss changes they wished to see implemented in order to make the site safer for adolescents. A deal was struck with every state (except Texas, who still believes more needs to be done) stating that although MySpace cannot strictly guarantee users will submit their real ages or identities, they are more than willing to devote more manpower and technology to protecting their young users.
The deal states that MySpace will create an email registry that will allow parents to block their children from registering on the site. They will also be enforcing the minimum age limit of 14 by using stricter technology to monitor new users. A hotline for police inquiries will be instated, and porn stars will be required to have their profiles viewable only to users that are not minors.
Do MySpace's Technology Changes Offer Enough Protection?
Although MySpace has confirmed they will have more of their employees verifying ages and identities, there is still a great risk for young people to be approached by predators. Unless young individuals are in tune to the dangers of this site, they will not truly learn the threat of social networks. Without necessary adult supervision, it seems that MySpace has still not promised to make enough changes to ensure that more protection occurs on the site.
Sources
Mann, Joseph. "MySpace to do more to boost safety", The Los Angeles Times, January 15, 2008
