Sunday, June 25, 2006

MySpace: A Social Network Danger
Do you know what your kids' MySpace page looks like?
Where does the responsibility lie with so-called "social networks" like MySpace and other sites like it? In the news today are stories of the dangers these sites cause. Many Boys and Girls Clubs of America have blocked access to them to try to curb the problem.

But does that really do it? Should MySpace administrators have some kind of age validation or parental permission before minors are allowed access to the sites?

Exactly what are the dangers? For starters, there are child predators trolling these sites looking for victims. Adult content, even child pornography, sexual solicitation, and more, are of concern to law enforcement, too. Sites like MySpace can be a veritable hunting ground for sexual predators.Are your kids online? If so, I bet they use MySpace. If you haven't been there to find out, you should go look!

Some BGCAs have restricted access to MySpace unless they are 14 or older. Reena Burton, education and tech director at BGCA in a downtown San Francisco said:

"We banned it and then we realized that the kids were going to go on somewhere else, so we kind of decided to let the teens go on while they're here, and understand how to be safe on it."
I guess while she is at it, she should probably provide private rooms for the kids as well, lest they be forced to go somewhere else to have sex, and she can make sure they are provided with condoms and proper instruction to be sure they know how to do it safely. That is ridiculous!MySpace needs to step up here. According to CNET News, they think they have:
MySpace is trying to disuage worries and mitigate hazards to kids by installing stiffer security and privacy controls on its site. Earlier this week, the company said it would enact controls that restrict how teens older than 18 can communicate with members younger than 16, for example.
No, no, no. MySpace needs to apply parental and content controls. Have you seen some of the trash on MySpace? If not, just poke around. You will find barely clothed, trampy, teens being as nasty and foul as they can, playing songs with extremely lude and vulgar lyrics, and more.Ultimately, PARENTS need to be the controls here. Teens need to be taught that "slutting" on the net is not just really poor taste, it's extremely poor judgement. When was the last time you monitored your kids' activities on the net? Maybe it's time to start, before you find yourself regretting that you didn't teach your teen better, and saved them from their own stupidity.

Posted at 8:53 PM on Sunday, June 25, 2006




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