MySpace: Kiddie Porn for Millions?

It's no secret that the on-line website MySpace.com has become a global phenomenon. Radio personalities, television shows, bands, and even entire broadcast networks have MySpace accounts these days. I wonder, however, if anyone has taken a close look at the majority of MySpace users. If so, they should notice something: a good amount of MySpace users are under 18. In addition to that, a disturbing amount of these underage users are females who have very revealing and almost naked pictures of themselves in their profiles. I can't help but wonder two things. First, how is it that so many children are able to post these pictures without their parents knowing? Second, how many of these children are actually talking to a child predator?

I'll admit that I have no children and do not plan on having any for some time. However, I've cared for children before and can't understand how an adult could allow their child to roam the internet without some type of supervision - especially this day and age. The internet isn't what it was when it first came out. These days, you can find anything and everything you could possibly want on the internet. Although it would be unfair to not allow a child access to a very crucial educating tool, to allow a child to surf the internet completely unattended is irresponsible. On MySpace.com, I have seen profiles with 14-year-old girls wearing nothing but a thong. Any responsible parent would be in touch with their children and recognize what they're doing on the computer. Even if they just occasionally visited their child's MySpace address, it would show that they care and are genuinely interested in what is going on in their child's life. Not only are parents sending the message to their children that their lives are more important, but they're sending the message that posting revealing pictures of yourself at the age of 14 on the internet is okay. Parents need to stop rushing around with their own lives and realize that if they don't start raising their children, someone else will; most likely in a manner they wouldn't approve of.