MySpace Agrees to New Safety Measures
Big news today concerning MySpace; I am sure you have heard, as every state is creating their own localized story, that the infamous social networking site (famous for being a breeding ground for sexual predators) has reached an agreement with 49 states’ (and the District of Columbia) Attorneys General to make several changes that will help prevent sexual predators and others from misusing it. Referred to as The Joint Statement on Key Principles of Social Networking Sites Safety, the site has agreed to add several protections and participate in a working group to develop new technologies, including a way to verify the ages of users. Other social networking sites (such as FaceBook and Beebo) will soon be invited to participate.
The deal comes in response to the exponential growth of social networking sites in recent years, with teenagers making up a large part of their membership. This has created a new venue for sexual predators who lie about their age to lure young victims and for cyberbullies who send threatening and anonymous messages. Because of this, legal authorities have long been seeking greater controls for networking sites to prevent predators from using them to contact children.
Among other measures, MySpace agreed to:
This, of course, is a great step forward… but what about the 50th state? In fact, Texas is the ONLY state to withhold from the agreement. The state’s AG, Greg Abbott, raises a valid point: he does not believe any social-networking site can be safe for minors until significant improvements in technology are achieved, specifically “an age verification system [that] is effectively developed and implemented.”
Abbot has said:
“In our view, the remedial measures delineated in the joint statement constitute a starting point rather than a point of conclusion. That is, the protective steps memorialized in the joint statement improve online safety and security but still fail to adequately protect child users.”
Furthermore, he believes the wording of the joint statement is too vague and that by signing the joint statement they “would be misperceived as an endorsement of the inadequate safety measures contained therein.”
He concludes a letter to MySpace co-founder and CEO Chris DeWolfe with:
“Although we believe that MySpace.com, along with other state Attorneys General, is working to protect social-network users, we cannot endorse any initiative that fails to implement a reliable age verification system. Doing so would give Texas parents and their children a false sense of security.”
PC Pandora’s take:
Obviously, the joint agreement is a huge step forward, but Texas certainly does raise a valid point. While states are quick to sign the letter, how quick will this be forgotten? I can hear 49 AG’s saying in unison, “well, that’s solved. Next?” while patting themselves on the back. But until something is physically done, nothing is solved. A commitment to fix does not mean the problem is fixed. However, not to undermine or downplay the effort, it is still a good sign that the issue has reached thus far.
But as MySpace and Facebook clean up, more social networking sites will spring up. Ones that are new, fresh, and free of restrictions that would hinder a sex predator’s mission.
The bottom line is that there will never be a safe foolproof way for websites or third-parties (i.e. AGs, law enforcement, etc.) to protect kids. Safety starts at home. It is the parents’ responsibility to monitor their young Internet user’s activities – not a website’s. Parents need to be aware of who their child is talking to and what sites they are visiting. Monitoring software like our PC Pandora plays a vital role in assisting parents in obtaining that knowledge. Having that knowledge is having the power and the ability to discuss with your child their Internet habits and correct potentially dangerous practices (i.e. posting a photo of themselves or revealing any personal information).
If you are a parent looking for that extra bit of security and peace of mind, check out our PC Pandora. It will record everything that happens on the computer and give you the detailed information you need to watch what your child does. Simple controls let you block websites and programs, and you can even get updates on activity while you are at work.
Don’t think that just because your kid is safe at home (err, unhealthily glued to the PC) they are safe in the world [wide web].
Educate yourselves. Discuss with your kids. Protect your family with PC Pandora.
Sources for this blog, should you want to read the articles are here:
AP article #1
AP article #2
United Press International
CNet news (Texas AG article)
January 15th, 2008 at 5:57 PM
The Governor of Texas did raise a valid point indeed. The present day age verification methods are totally outdated and there is no fool proof way of totally preventing child abuse other than proper parental control.
January 21st, 2008 at 6:53 PM
yep..the net has its pro’s and cons and being an user of PC Pandora for the past year, I would recommend it to any parent. A small one time cost is pennies in comparison to your child’s safety.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:58 PM
this is a great move….the only problem is that it should have come earlier….but i guess its better late than never….
January 29th, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Not only that, but the age verification is only geared towards the sexual predators… what about the legal age kids that use it — and use it for cyberbullying. Again, the attempts are fine – but why is everyone applauding? It does almost nothing to fix or repeal some of the dangers on the net.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:42 PM
[...] for some legitimate news on MySpace: Their follow-up to the legendary “agreement” is creating the Internet Safety Technical Task Force, which will convene a yearlong task force to [...]
May 12th, 2008 at 10:43 AM
[...] may sound familiar, as it is the same type of agreement that MySpace made with the same state officials last January. Their action, of course, was a reluctant give-in, following months of scrutiny and [...]