MySpace boots sex offenders

MySpace recently announced that it has turned over to authorities the names of 90,000 registered sex offenders previously on—but now banned—from the popular social networking site. And as troubling as that astronomical number sounds, it only represents convicted offenders who were using their real names. The true number of predators prowling through social networking sites such as MySpace is impossible to determine.

(Ironically, this news follows a report last month suggesting that the safety risks of using such sites may be exaggerated.)

Parents should check out the CR Babies and Kids Blog, which offers advice for keeping your kids safe online. Also see our Guide to Online Safety, which features a section on child safety.

—Nick Mandle

Comments

[Kaci]

I can't imagine offenders using their REAL names on sites like this, especially if they were planning on committing any type of crime through the site. I read a take on a potential for a "SexSpace" the other day: http://www.pointsincase.com/columns/casey-freeman/myspace-of-sex I wonder if that's where many of these offenders would rather open up shop...

[MSLGWCEO]

"Net threat to minors less than feared"
- A long awaited report from the Internet Safety Technical Task Force concludes that children and teens are less vulnerable to sexual predation than many have feared.

The report also questions the efficacy and necessity of some commonly prescribed remedies designed to protect young people.
FULL REPORT pdf:
The task force was formed as a result of a joint agreement between MySpace and 49 state attorneys general.

http://cfcoklahoma.org/New_Site/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=0&func=view&id=628&catid=21#628