Everyone’s doing it. Becoming a member of MySpace.com is one of the most popular ways to network with friends. At the age of 14 almost anyone is capable of creating and personalizing their profiles. Anything goes. From opinionated blogs to interesting photos, members of MySpace are entitled to it all. When you first start your MySpace account you have an option of posting a profile with your name, city, interests, school, sexual orientation, favorite movies and much more.

You can easily put your life’s story on the Web. For that same reason, many parents and officials question the security of MySpace. But some students may agree with Berta Quiles a freshman, when she said, “Nobody can really do anything, unless you meet them in person.”

Many parents are concerned about the personal information their children post online, afraid of its misinterpretation or overall content.

Nevertheless, any information on the web is accessible to anyone in the world, so what makes MySpace different? To some the answer is easy. Online predators use networks like MySpace to attract different types of users. Once they develop a friendly relationship with that person the user sometimes become vulnerable to the predator’s attempts. This may lead to some abductions and even murders.

As a member of MySpace, Marquis Boddie, a senior, addresses the realities of possible security failures and says, “There are probably sexual offenders, but it’s the Internet. I just hope I don’t get a virus.”

Since MySpace allows its users to freely post their opinions, it can sometimes be for the better or for the worse. In Oregon City, two students exploited several other students at their school by posting vulgar and explicit comments about each individual.

Of course parents were outraged and demanded something be done. However, “Freedom of Speech” is in fact the US first amendment. Junior Crystal Gabrielle values her ability to “express [herself] through [her] page.”

On many occasions members of MySpace come in to contact with long lost friends. As a senior, Ryan Berning appreciates that MySpace allows him to “keep in touch with [his] friends from middle school.” Those re-united relationships are what makes MySpace members value their ability to connect with past time friends.

MySpace has also been used as a means of communication for business and educational purposes. Often times, members of MySpace create groups and invite other members to become a part of that online group. This allows those users to communicate freely and express their opinions about various subjects.

In one of Hillsborough High School Groups, students discussed the New ID policy.

The users express their attitudes towards the policy, both positive and negative. This form of communication is peaceful amongst students and allows each user to be heard. Other members simply use MySpace as something to fill up their void time while at home. Marquis Boddie, reveals that “It can be time consuming, but when you have nothing to do, you just sit on MySpace.”

As a member of MySpace you are able to download creative back grounds, funny video clips, glittery fonts and even the most popular songs.

MySpace has also allowed many music artists to gain exposure and stay in touch with their fans. While talking about his affiliation with J-A-J Records, Davian Mendez a junior explains “MySpace has definitely given them more exposure, if someone asks about the label I tell them to just check out myspace.com.”

Can MySpace become addictive? Many students claim they use MySpace like any other real-time Communication software such as AOL Instant Messaging and MSN. However, some students had to admit they were attached to their MySpace accounts.

Lorne Selby a senior at Hillsborough states, “I recently made a MySpace over Christmas break and I know it’s not cool or anything but I can’t stop. I check my MySpace every few hours. I can’t stop. The only good thing is that I have met like four people I haven’t seen in years on this thing. MySpace reunites people. But other than that I am addicted.”

Nicole Sarrine, a Hillsborough junior admits, “It has become sort of an obsession to make a good site and check all your comments and messages.”

In addition, Nicole Glennon, a freshman also admits “I’m addicted to it; it gives me something to do.” Conversely, Crystal Gabrielle says, “I love MySpace but I can live without it. There’s AOL, MSN and Yahoo.”

So evidently, MySpace has become the new epidemic when it comes to networking online. Asia Carter a freshman at Hillsborough High admits she is networked with “over 700 [MySpace] friends.”

In general, MySpace has evolved into a massive realm of friends and strangers. Therefore, Parents and Students should both be aware of the possible dangers and safety measures that should be taken while communicating online. With more than 45 million members MySpace cannot ensure the safety of all its users, neither can any other networking program readily available to the World Wide Web.

Consequently, members are responsible for being educated about the dangers of being online.

MySpace Safety Tips

?Do not post your address, phone number and/or postal information

?Do not send private messages containing details about your personal life, location, family history

?Make sure you are communicating with someone you know

?If you meet a someone online, do not make arrangements to met him/her in person

?Never give your telephone number to someone you meet online

?Make sure you are aware of the comments users post on your page

?Recognize any information you post is vulnerable to the entire world