How to Avoid Predators on Myspace

Most Myspace users think that they're safe in their cocoon of cyber-anonymity. I once thought that too, until one random creep turned into a cyber-stalker, and then a real-life stalker. Several police reports and a restraining order later, I have a new level of paranoia and respect for the dangers of personal page sites like Myspace.

The human organism is nothing if not predictable. As are the human organs. Being a female of the human species, or of most any species for that matter, carries a certain peculiarity; Being wanted. The modern order has done an amazing job at crushing out the inherent inappropriate behavior of most men, at least in normal life. But then throw everyone into a magic realm of safe anonymity and what do you get?

The Myspace meat-market.

Here, the fellas feel free to actualize their purely natural, yet socially inappropriate nature, that is- To hit on every girl they meet. - "hey you! wanna breed! -no..." ... "hey you, what about you"... "no, okay- you then!"... not that's there's anything wrong with it... but when you're on this side of it, it can get a little old.

If you are an attractive girl, and you post your real picture on myspace, you will get attention from men. Some are entirely harmless, extending only the most polite greeting in hopes of impressing you with their easygoing nature. Unfortunately, mixed in to the mess are hundred of thousands, if not millions of creeps, weirdos, and predators; the kind who will find you in real life.

Setting your profile to private ensures that no random unknowns will be messaging you. Unfortunately it cuts you off from the intricacies of the social mayhem, the true beauty of myspace. For those braving the public domain, there are a few simple steps to avoid head-bashing hassles and dangerous escalating situations with creeps.

The first thing to do, or rather, not to do, is don't paint a target on yourself. in other words,don't post that bra and panties shot on your profile. Sure it's not that sexy, and it was an inside joke that your friends appreciate, but someone, somewhere will get the wrong idea and harass you.

The second thing is to never, ever respond in any way to any mail that makes you feel uncomfortable in any way. Here we get into the realm of personal preference. Maybe some of you girls out there like to be harassed just a little, but remember that once you begin to lead someone on you are setting up events you cannot control. Myspace is fairly anonymous, but it's not foolproof, and while hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, it's also true that a sexually jilted man is a vicious animal.

It is also a bad idea to respond angrily to lewd mail. The person you're dealing with is most likely anti-social to some degree and may feed off of negative attention, or you may simply be opening yourself up to a drawn out conversation you didn't want to have.

Never, never, never put any information that could lead someone to you. Don't mention your last name, your school, your street, or even your town. Also do not link your page to any other website that has any of your personal information. This was my mistake. I have since disconnected my page from my real life, and you should too. When you are on the Internet, be a different person.

Not all of the guys hitting on you are creeps, but they are all after your behind. If someone is after your behind and it's not up for grabs, just pretend you never got the message. It's sounds so easy, so why isn't it? Women in particular suffer from their empathy. Men think we're cruel for shooting them down so much, but they don't realize just how kind most of us are when doing it. We want to be much, much meaner.

Just remember that Myspace is not real life. You do not have to feel guilty about hurting this guy's feelings. You do not have to look him in the face. In real life, if a guy hits on you and you ignore his very existence, you would be called rude or harsher words. But Myspace is a more dangerous place than a social situation. No one is there to see the face of the guy in question. His anonymity makes him dangerous, and you should be paranoid about him.