Turn MySpace into MySafe: 10 Tips, Especially for Young Users

Online journals, such as Myspace, Facebook and Livejournal are the single biggest craze to hit the US and the world since internet usage itself began. The audience that Myspace appeals most to, as with many crazes are teens. Parents, caregivers and educators are, for excellent reasons, concerned about sites like Myspace. Is the user safe from cyberstalking? How much personal information is divulged? Is photo-posting safe? Who can access this information? Improper usage of online journals can be just as lethal as inhalants or drugs.

On Myspace, unlike any other teen phenomenon, adults can create Myspace accounts for themselves. They can create 'personas' for themselves which do not reflect their true age and identity. Also, teens can post any picture on Myspace, making it a virtual Sears catalog for pedophiles. We've seen the eerie and provocative commercials in which strangers and oddballs approach a young teen girl and make lascivious comments and suggestions about what they saw on her Myspace page.

Since Myspace is going to have to run the course of any craze, and it doesn't show signs of slowing, it's up to us as parents or teens to be wise, proactive and responsible in our use or regulations of Myspace. As with any other forbidden fruit, banning students from using Myspace will lead to a whole world of danger. Look at what happened in the 20's and 30's in the US when alcohol was prohibited. Chaos ensued because now alcohol could not be regulated. So with Myspace, we need to teach teens to use common cyber sense. And teens, you need to 'space safely'; keep yourself safe by using your gut instincts and common sense. Here are 10 safety regulations to use when you on an online chat or journal site.