MySpace warnings
Tuesday
Apr 11, 2006
Finally! MySpace now prominently displays warnings not to divulge too much information online. MySpace is the largest social networking site (which also does blogs), and majority of its users are kids and teenagers. And where there are kids, there’s always the danger of online predators–pedophiles, kidnappers, serial killers–on the prowl for their next possible victim. There have actually been murders directly linked to MySpace–the assailant and victim allegedly met thru the service, and were supposed to meet in person.
The new ad campaign warns parents and teens that sexual predators are increasingly using the veil of anonymity provided by online chat rooms, forums and social networking sites to target minors.
A great move, but knowing that kids usually misrepresent their ages (i.e., when signing up, since MySpace has an age minimum), and are usually stubborn when it comes to rules (aren’t we all), this may not be 100% effective as a deterrent to online-related crimes, but we’re getting there. Education is still key to all this. Parents should be aware of what their kids are doing online, and should guide them on the dos and don’ts of communicating online.
J. Angelo Racoma is a technology journalist and blogger. See more of his blog posts here at racoma.com.ph, commentaries at racoma.net, and Twitter feed at @jangelo.
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