MySpace Safety

What is MySpace?

MySpace is a popular social networking Web site that allows visitors to post profiles, pictures, videos and blog entries while connecting with like-minded people. Founded in 2003, MySpace is now owned by Fox Interactive Media. The site has more than 300 employees and 100 million registered users and growing.

By all accounts, MySpace is one of the Internet’s most successful Web sites. Alexa Internet reports that it’s the sixth most popular English-language Web site and the third most popular site in the United States. There are also several international versions of MySpace tailored to meet the needs of visitors from countries such as:

• Australia
• Canada
• China
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Japan
• Mexico
• Spain

MySpace Controversies

Although MySpace claims to create a safe environment for visitors, the site has gathered a fair share of controversy in recent years. Some of these criticisms are relatively minor, such as the belief that MySpace has security flaws in its site design that can contribute to problems with spam and spyware. As MySpace grows in popularity, the site has also been criticized for allowing businesses to create profiles for the purpose of commercial solicitations.

However, the most serious safety risk associated with using MySpace involves criminals using the site to select their next victims. Several registered sex offenders have managed to create MySpace accounts, including people with a history of child sex abuse. Critics have also stated that MySpace fails to adequately protect adult users against the risk of identity theft and cyberstalking.

In response to MySpace criticisms, several people have sprung into action. For example:

• Many schools across the United States now prevent students from accessing MySpace while on campus, because they feel the site leads to malicious gossiping. Some are even attempting to ban the use of MySpace outside of school, although this rule has proved difficult to enforce.
• In 2006, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill requiring libraries and schools receiving certain types of federal funding to keep minors from accessing MySpace and other social networking sites. However, the bill failed to come to a vote in the Senate and it is unknown if the legislation will be reintroduced at a later date.
• After public pressure, MySpace now offers parents the option of requesting that their child’s profile be removed. It is also reported that the company is working on a way of verifying user ages to make sure children under 14 are not allowed to create their own profiles.

MySpace Safety Tips

If you do decide to become a MySpace member, keep in mind the following personal Internet safety tips:

• Remember that MySpace is an open forum. The Web site has visitors from all over the world, so don’t post personal information that you wouldn’t feel comfortable having made public knowledge. This includes your full name, address, phone number and school or work location.
• If you post pictures of yourself on your MySpace profile, check to see that you’re not inadvertently divulging personal information. A picture of you wearing your favorite college sweatshirt or standing near a local landmark may be enough to give an unscrupulous person the information they need to track you down.
• Consider the future consequences of your actions. Even if it seems “cool” to post sexually explicit messages or photos online now, there’s a good chance you’ll be embarrassed by your actions at a later date. Once something is posted online, it’s never really erased.
• Don’t automatically assume that people you meet on MySpace are being honest. Since the Internet feels anonymous, people often lie about their age, interests or general background. Be cautious when talking to someone you’ve met online.
• Think twice before agreeing to meet a MySpace friend in person. If you do decide to arrange a meeting, however, choose a public location such as a mall or busy restaurant. Bring a trusted friend and make sure someone knows where you will be.
• Help keep MySpace safe for others by reporting harassment, hate speech,and other inappropriate content to the site administrators.

Additional Information

If you have questions about staying safe on MySpace, check out the following helpful websites for additional information:

• MySpace Safety: There’s a New Stranger in Town
• Using MySpace Responsibly
• MySpace Safety Tips for Parents
• Internet Safety 101