MySpace is trying to make their "space" safer for teenagers. What are they changing and is it enough?
The Present Danger
Sexual predators are finding MySpace an easy resource for their next victims. They can go on the site and pick their target. Kids that reveal information about being unhappy, hating their parents, smoking, drinking, alone for long lengths of time, and lonely are perfect prospects for sexual assault.
Due to the recent string of incidents in the news revealing that predators found their victims on MySpace, The News Corporation, owner of MySpace, has taken measures to protect the youngest on the site.
15 Years Old and Younger
Beginning in July of 2006, MySpace will not allow those over 18 to contact MySpace entries under 16 years old. How are they doing this? Those 18 and older will have to contact younger member by their first and last names and not merely their user names. If you don't know them, you may not contact them. This prevents strangers from lurking on the site and finding 14 and 15-year olds.
MySpace is also encouraging younger members to list their site as "private" and only allow visitors by approval.
But, Who Is Monitoring?
This is probably a minimal effort at best. MySpace does not monitor the ages of individuals on their site nor the visitors. So, students that want to avoid this screen, may put 16 or 17 as their age. No one truly knows the real age of anyone on the site.
This recent change will give the illusion of MySpace doing something to protect children. In reality, it will do very little. Teenagers will continue to post personal information on this site and make themselves vulnerable because they think nothing can happen to them in the safety of their own home.
Related articles: MySpace in Schools, Virtual High School, Student Computer Injuries, MySpace is Still Dangerous.
Software for Protection
The following sites offer software to monitor internet traveling:
securitysoft.com, bpssoft.com, wiredkids.org.
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.
Copyright article 2006 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
