MySpace really IS that bad!

MySpace gets a lot of bad press for its use by online predators. Usually, I side with the online service in these cases. As I understand these technologies (and I consider myself knowledgeable in this area), they can be used for good or bad and the problem often lies in society, not the mode in which it communicates. That's true, I think, unless the online service fosters a community centered upon questionable content in an especially irresponsible way. I was recently invited to become someone's "friend" on MySpace.

I signed up, and I was amazed.

Many, if not most, of the ads are for dating sites. That's not bad in and of itself. But the "True" dating site presents itself as a site where morals should not encumber your choices. Any lifestyle is acceptable. I vaguely remember an ad telling me I could search for one night stands.

I've only had a MySpace account for several days but I've already had mass messages from people such as "Sin Girl." I've seen comments filled with obscene pictures of sex toys. I'm a little disturbed. I'm aware all of this stuff is out there, just a Google search away (I've seen my share of the dark side of the Internet, though not for a couple of years now). But I'm not searching for it now. I only wanted to look at pictures my friend Melanie had posted of her family and friends - a wholesome, innocent activity. And what did I find? Sex, sometimes subtly presented, other times explicitly plastered on my screen.

As an adult I can choose to ignore all this stuff and not go to the site. But I can tell you as a former teenage boy, I know this site would be tempting and intriguing. These sorts of things should not be seen by kids! Yet the layout, ads, and design of MySpace appear (to me) to be designed to attract children. And as the leading social networking site these days, that is disturbing.

As a side note from the standpoint of someone who has some appreciation for web site design and layout, MySpace profiles make my eyes hurt. Get off this site, and go over to Yahoo! 360, which seems less disgusting and, in my opinion, is easier to use.

If your kids have MySpace accounts, cut them off. Block the site and educate them about responsibility on the web. Point them to alternatives like Yahoo 360. There is STILL less than desirable content there as well, but one is not forced by the design of the site to view it.

That's all for now. I'm getting off my soap box and getting back to my studies. It is midterm week, after all.