Is MySpace really a danger zone? (Part 1)
"Growing number of child molestors using MySpace to arrange meetings with minors"
"Teenage girl kidnapped by older man she met on MySpace"
The recent media blitz regarding MySpace has snowballed in the recent months. Parents, teachers and othe school officials all over the country are calling for the banning of MySpace. Will they succeed?
No.
Why not? Because MySpace is free, fun... and everyone is doing it. MySpace is not anymore dangerous than any school, mall or neighborhood park.
Still this doesn't mean that MySpace users couldn't benefit from a little common sense while navigating through MySpace. The surprising thing is that MySpace offers tools and options for users to take control of their profile. Many users just don't know that those options exist.
I've compiled a list of options/tips that you can use to protect yourself on MySpace and take control of your profile.
1) Private profile. Yes, MySpace allows users to have a private profile. Having a private profile means that only those users on your friend's list will be able to view your profile. Unfortunately, this privacy option is only available to MySpace's younger users. That being said, some adults simply change their age under Edit Profile-Basic Info to use this feature. Be warned -- MySpace has a policy about adult users doing this. Yet, it's a good to know that it is available for younger teens.*
2) Require Last Name/Email Address To Add As Friend. Tired of getting random friend requests from strangers? Change this setting and users will have to enter either your email address or last name to be able to complete the add process. **
3) Hide Your Online Status. Don't want other users to know when you're online? Change this setting and the "Online Now" icon won't appear next to your photo when other users see it. **
4) The 'About Me' Survey. This popular survey is posted on many users profiles as a way to introduce yourself. It's all in fun... except for a few questions. The survey asks for your full name, birth place and date of birth. Do not post this information! Anyone viewing this information could use it to piece together your identity and find your address, phone number, social security number, request a background check, even break into your email. Never reveal this information to anyone who you don't already know.
*Changes can be made under Edit Profile - Basic Info. Read MySpace's policy regarding this option.
**Changes can be made uner Account Settings - Privacy Settings.
Want more tips? Stay tuned for Part 2...
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Myspace danger
The main reason I think these places are dangerous is because girls, well everyone, thinks that they can be more open online and they expose private information about themselves that they shouldn't. Lots of younger people are not aware of the dangers, and their parents don't tell them because they aren't either.
Posting your full name is also kinda nice if you want to find old friends. What do you think about all the people who post their resumes online and stuff?
TMI
The internet is full of people who offer WAY too much information... and if parents have kids that are using the internet, they need to make an effort to be aware about the dangers out there. But I don't think we need to go to the extreme of prohibiting our kids from using the internet or MySpace period. There needs to be a balance.
About posting resumes online... I personally have never done it for fear of the wrong person getting a hold of my information. But I guess it depends on the individual....:)
http://myspaceoryours.blogspot.com/
There may be danger, but there are also benefits
First, I'm not in the group you're writing about. I'm a 53 year old male, not a young person or woman.
Yes, there is danger in posting too much information if you are young, and I, too, recommend that parents should monitor what their children are doing.
I may mention my grandchildren now and then, but I never give any details about them.
On the other hand, my life's pretty much an open book. I give my address and other contact information on lots of sites and have never had a problem.
In fact, I've had the pleasure of being contacted by old friends and associates who found me on the web.
I think each of us should consider the risks before posting too much personal information, and we should remember that the risks are different for each of us. After all, I'm over six feet tall and weigh over 300 pounds. There's not much danger of someone shoving me into a car. That may not be true for you or someone you know.
John L. Dilbeck
Dilbeck Marketing
Murphy, NC 28906
http://AYearFromNow.com
http://CherokeeCountyNC.com
http://DilbeckMarketing.com
http://ISucceedByHelpingYouSucceed.com
Excellent point...
I've had guy friends tell me the same thing, "I'm not afraid of anything"... they'll talk to whoever and reveal any kind of information. Girls are just not that way... at least not most of the girls I know. It's ingrained into us pretty early that danger is everywhere and to always be on alert. The problem is that young teens, who often have a sense of invulnerability and immortality may not realize that revealing too much is a bad idea. :(
http://myspaceoryours.blogspot.com/
If used properly
Anything can be good if used properly. The problem is that, like you siad, most people DON'T think before they type. This goes for adults too.
I agree...
Anyone can make the mistake of giving out too much information. I've done it myself... and later ask myself "What were you thinking???". But hopefully, we learn from those experiences and act smarter the next time.... or at least try.:)
http://myspaceoryours.blogspot.com/