Facebook: Come On Down! You’re The Next Contestant On “The Predators Are On Your Site!”
It was only a matter of time. Since hundreds, thousands of online predators were booted from MySpace, it was only natural they would go to the next breeding ground. Yesterday, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced his office has subpoenaed Facebook, accusing the social networking site of not keeping young users safe from sexual predators and not responding to user complaints.
You can read a full Reuter’s article here: NY subpoenas Facebook over safety from predators.
Those of you who read my blog know I am no friend of social networking sites. They are damaging to our society in more ways than one. It seems the only good they offer, which is touted to no extent, is that they help people stay in touch. So what?! First of all, why do teens need to stay in touch with anyone? Secondly, it has gotten to the point where these social network sites are so “important” to people and such a necessity to them that they lose ambition to even go outside or hang out with their real-life physical friends, choosing to stay in with their virtual ones instead. It’s sad and it’s really plaguing our physical interaction skills as human beings.
…And then of course it’s also a breeding ground for those who use the site to do harm to others. It’s not an overnight process either. The nasties that will lurk there and try to prey on you will spend months on your buddy list, building a trusting friendship. Trusting enough to convince you to finally meet them in person. We all know what happens next.
Anyway, I am just one person. I encourage you all to comment. Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me that social networking sites actually DO do us some good… I dare you!
In the meantime, if your child uses any social networking site, install monitoring software like PC Pandora. It’s $50 for a peace of mind and knowledge of whom they are talking to and what they are revealing… but more importantly, who is trying to talk to them.
October 22nd, 2007 at 7:06 AM
I doubt if they got all of them, and I am sure the ones they booted off will make new names and try again, sad to say but its true, not sure what parents can do other then just not allow the kids on myspace, let no one under the age of 18 on these sites.
I know its a little harsh but how else can parents protect their kids? Its hard enough when the kid is right in front of you, but at school and in their rooms when they are on the computers its hard to watch them all the time.