MySpace Getting Bad Publicity

CBS news has repeatedly been giving myspace a bad rap,let's think about this.Every since myspace has changed the limit age from 18 to 14 according to CBS news,which to my knowledge the age limit was still 18, these issues have arised.There have been several accounts of online predators linked to myspace but haven't there been online predators on other sites as well?

There was one case in particular that CBS news talked about a 14 year old girl that had been on myspace and met a 38 year old man,he had asked her in private message if the age was an issue? obviously for her it wasn't and they met in person,this man is now in custody for sexual assault but ,are we totally to blame him?In my opinion I blame them both,one he should have known better and two she should have not put herself in that situation.This is one case out of many that have been thrown through the media.

Young girls post sayings such as this "It's not okay,but get with me and it will be" , "I'm marked with satisfaction guranteed" and the most controversial that had been on the news "Drink a 40,smoke a bowl,sex is good,life is great,we are the class of 2008" ,to a predator this is only giving a open invitation and young girls don't stop it.These girls actually think it's funny to have older guys " hitting " on them and they laugh it up with their friends,well,it's not funny to the guys they are talking to.

Just as there are young kids online pretending to be older there are older people pretending to be younger and not just on myspace.As teenagers most have the thought in their head that they are invinsible and they can do and say whatever they want to and alot of times they feel that they won't have to deal with any consequences because they will cry to mommy and daddy but ,sometimes mommy and daddy aren't always around.

Remember the old saying that your mother taught you " Don't take candy from strangers" there you go, it's the same instance.It's not just online that these things happen it's everywhere in real life and online.So I don't think that myspace should be at fault and drug through the ringer,I think both parties that agree to have these conversations and choose to take further actions are responsible,not the websites that they meet on.

Personally I have a myspace account as well as my both my sons,my parents and my husband,we have found that it is a way to express our individuality,have fun,make new friends,share thoughts and network and as a family we do discuss issues that may arise,concerns and ideas,you make it what you want to make it.