The Straightforward MySpace Truth

MySpace (www.myspace.com) is an online Blogging community. . .

But what the heck is a blog?

A blog is a fancy way of saying journal.  So MySpace is really an online journal.  People sign up for a free account by entering a little bit of information. 

Once they have an account they can add pictures, music, icons, backgrounds, layouts, code, graphics and more.  These give the MySpace user the chance to personalize their appeal.

Once they have their own look and feel, they start writing things in their blog (online journal).  By default, everything someone writes on MySpace is publicly available.  This means that everyone can read whatever you write.

Now, there is a way to disable this feature but most people don’t want to diable it.

After creating their MySpace page and adding some content.  Most MySpace users regularly write updates about themselves.  They also check their friends’ accounts to see what’s new.

You think that sounds like a lot of work.  Well it’s not.  I’ve (Adam J. Richter M.S. KidCareKit) personally talked to over a dozen different children from middle school through high school, in different grades and schools.  I asked if they used MySpace, and how many people in their grade/school use MySpace. 

Every time I asked that question I always got a similar response. 

"A lot of people use it.  Probably about 80%.   The other 20% would use it if they had a computer or if their parents let them."

So far MySpace doesn’t sound that threatening right?

Wrong, the problem is with the communication.  MySpace users can write messages directly to each other, they can download the MySpace instant messenger program, or they can go to the MySpace chat rooms.

Communication and accidentally writing personal information makes MySpace dangerous. 

Communication is dangerous because stalkers, pedophiles, and cyber bullies can bother and hunt children.

Writing personal information is dangerous because it enables stalkers, pedophiles, and cyber bullies to more easily influence MySpace users.

Here are a few basics about MySpace that you might want to know:

• You have to be at least 14 years old to sign up for a MySpace account.  But you can easily make a fake birth date during the MySpace signup to create an account.
• MySpace is a public place.  So don’t say, do, or write anything that you wouldn’t feel comfortable publicizing all over the world.  i.e. phone number, address, IM screen name, or specific whereabouts.
• People can easily search MySpace for your name or e-mail address.  Make up fake information if you don’t want people to easily find you.

All of this information applies to other blogging websites also.  Here are some of the other sites:  Bebo, Facebook, Friendster, Hi5, LiveJournal, LiveWorld, Tagged, and Xanga

by Adam J. Richter M.S. of KidCareKit.com