MySpace.com Agrees to Make Changes to Improve Online Safety

MySpace.com is about to make some big changes to help protect people from sexual predators. Attorneys general from almost every state and the District of Columbia have just announced a new agreement that will lead to several changes on the popular social networking website. The states have been working with MySpace for a couple of years because thousands of registered sex offenders have been found on MySpace and there are concerns that those offenders have tried to contact underage users.

Under the new agreement:

* MySpace will set up a "High School" area. It will exclude people over 18.

* MySpace will allow parents to register their children's e-mail addresses. People using those e-mail addresses won't be able to sign in or create a MySpace profile.

* MySpace will create an Internet Safety Technical Task Force that will find new technology to verify people's ages and identities. The task force will include other social networking sites, child protection groups and technology experts. They will report to the state attorneys general every three months, with a formal report expected by the end of the year.

* MySpace will provide a way to report abuse on every page that contains content, and MySpace will respond quickly to reports of abuse.

The state officials are praising MySpace for agreeing to these improvements in online safety. Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal calls the agreement a "promising step toward an industry gold standard for social networking safety."

New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram says, "The Internet can be a dangerous place for children and young adults, with sexual predators surfing social networking sites in search of potential victims."

For its part, MySpace officials already have a page devoted to safety tips and say they're dedicated to helping users keep themselves and their families safe online. In addition, they've been developing free parental monitoring software.

An online statement by the MySpace chief security officer says, "Throughout this site, you will find useful safety information, tips and resources to navigate online communities and to help teach your family and friends to do the same."

Several states have been working with MySpace to fight sexual predators for a couple of years. In 2007 officials announced that MySpace agreed to cooperate with New York and other states to turn over names and other information about convicted sex offenders on its website. The states could then share the information with law enforcement agencies.

It's not clear how quickly these new online safety steps will be implemented. In the meantime, you can check out the MySpace online safety tips page. In addition, the Connecticut Attorney General has MySpace online safety tips for parents, here.