MySpace Troubles

It is so easy for pedophiles to cull victims from the MySpace subscribers that legal problems are arising.

From AdAge.com:

A 14-year-old girl is presently suing the site for $30 million, claiming she was sexually assaulted by a 19-year-old man she met on MySpace.

Previously, two men were apprehended for using MySpace to meet girls under the age of 14. Consequently, one can assume that MySpace is turning into the proverbial candy store for child molesters. Or, maybe, it already is.

To allay concerns, problems, and possible lawsuits, MySpace has implemented the bold move of "introducing restrictions on adult/teen interaction."

The new rules prohibit members 18 and older from asking to join a 14- or 15-year-old's group of friends -- unless they already know the younger members' e-mail address or full name. Members can also request not to be contacted by anyone outside of their age group. Additionally, all members can now display either full or partial profiles, whereas previously the full profiles of anyone over 18 were available to all members. MySpace has always only allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to display full profiles to their friends.

Therefore, if a 35-year-old man wants to cruise through the profiles of 14-year-old girls, all he has to do is indicate that he is 14 on his profile. After all, people can indicate whatever age they desire on MySpace.

In summary, MySpace is implementing restrictions that appear meaningless because they're unenforceable. And, to be fair, MySpace would seem to have little control other than to issue frequent warnings and precautionary notices regarding potential pedophiles. Actually, the youngsters' parents must be responsible for overseeing their children's activities to the extent necessary to prevent harm.