In Other News

[zesty_pinto]

You know myspace has got it bad when even CNN comments on the issues there. Are you guys really sure about signing up for it? o_O

I guess I wouldn't feel so off-kilter about it if I didn't know someone that actually was raped from someone she met off that blog site. Now, I'm sure it won't be as bad for the rest of you folks since she was pretty much within that young age group, but I also know that this surprises the hell out of me since I know she's relatively careful, too, with respects to how I've seen her deal with men (including me) and from her already tumultuous family life.

I don't know, there's also that idea of meeting people on a site that's more tailored towards getting the reputation of unknown bands out there for the public, and if you do it for that then it's cool, but I also know that some people try it to look for other people.

Offering the two cents of concern, folks, don't take it personally.

Comments

[delennamachoo.livejournal.com]

A lot of people are on myspace for reasons other than hooking up, especially those of us already in relationships ;). A lot of people use it to reconnect. I suspect its schools function is what prompted the addition of the schools function on LJ, but LJ doesn't show actual pictures of people. With myspace, you can look people up by school and grad year, see their picture and KNOW who you've found. I've found some old friends from high school and college, my cousin Sara, and my cousin Katie. I even found I guy I knew at boarding school in England.

my take

[dtfan579.livejournal.com]

1. These predators have existed long before the world wide web was popularized, most of this coverage plays into a latent technophobia that exists in the majority of people.

2. The fact that CNN is covering myspace could be slightly profit motivated, as myspace is now owned by one of their competitors. Call me cynical, but profit is the #1 motivating factor for the mainstream media. Sensationalism pays the bills.

3. I have a myspace account, as well as this LJ account, and a facebook account. Myspace is definitely good for promoting music, it's also good for Schadenfreude purposes, and indeed it's good for reconnecting with people that you've lost touch with. I also met my girlfriend through an online dating site, but I wouldn't use a free service for these purposes.

Disclaimer: Strangely enough, I now work for the company that owns myspace, but my job doesn't directly deal with it.

[lucylovebiscuit.livejournal.com]

I've made some really good friends on myspace, and a lot of aquaintances, but I never put myself out there or tried to use it as a dating site. I also don't have my picture plastered all over my profile. I use it as a place for my artwork to be seen, and to network with other artists.

I think that people get too personal on myspace, not realizing just how much they are putting it out there for strangers to see. There are definitely sharks out there, and they know what to look for in their victims.

All the same, I enjoy using myspace and don't think there is anything inherently wrong with the concept of it.Besides, how many people have been raped by people they've met in person without the aid of myspace, like at a bar, or through mutual friends? Its not the website, its the bad people that need to be avoided, and they are everywhere!

[polianarchy.livejournal.com]

i totally agree with you on this one. i'd like to add that it's important to treat myspace just like a dating site if that's how one is going to use it. people think that because it's not billed as a dating/hook-up site, that these strangers are gonna be friends, but it's just not the case. meeting anyone from any site on the internet is dangerous, because one has no idea who they're dealing with.

i love myspace because it enables me to keep in touch with my friends from all over the world. it's more used than friendster, which i actually like better, however. i never accept "friends" requests from people i don't know, unless they are librarians from one of the lirbarian groups to which i belong. i think myspace is just like any other site -- chaotic, and necesitates careful attention.

[jezebel-25.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the concerns. and I'm not taking this personally. But let me offer my two cents. which might anger some people, but oh well.

First off, I only have people on there that I actually know and talk to. My RL friends, so to speak, and two LJ friends that I have known for years and years. I'm also the type of person who doesn't normally 'meet' with my online friends. I had one bad experience meeting someone online, and I just won't do it again. (as far as dating goes, I mean)

And I'm sorry, but parents need to monitor what they're kids are doing online. That is what parental controls and passwords are for. A website shouldn't get into trouble because people aren't responsible. (and I don't mean this in any way dealing with your friend's horrible experience-I feel awful for her)

How is myspace supposed to deal with all the people? You don't see AOL getting in trouble because of kids meeting older people in their chatrooms, right? It's the same exact thing!

When I was a kid, my mom and dad knew what I was doing every single day. What games I was playing, movies I was watching, etc. What the hell is going on today? When I was 12 years old I still wasn't allowed to go to the movies with my friends! I know times are different now, but I really don't understand why myspace is catching all the flak.

sorry for the mini-rant. I'm done now, honest.

myspace: the movie

[dtfan579.livejournal.com]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ_dam5DmsM&eurl=