Myspace Can Stab You in the Back!

"New Scientist has discovered that Pentagon's National Security Agency, which specialises in eves dropping and cod-breaking, is funding research into the mass harvesting of the information that people post about themselves in social networks"(Marks, P). This is saying that you need to be careful what you post on Myspace because you think its private and only your friends can see it but, National Security is starting to get involved and people are going to start getting in trouble. It's just not National Security that you could get in trouble by its your mom, friends, teachers, mentors anyone that has access to a computer. For example Paul Marks with New Scientist discovered that " Young people have even been barred from the orthodox religious colleges that they are enrolled in for revealing online that they are gay"(Marks, P). This just proves that young kids are putting there sexuality out on the line and they are getting busted hard for thinking that Myspace is a private space that no one else can enter.
Some people think on Myspace that they can get away with anything. But they are wrong. People try to portray certain images across Myspace that aren't really accurate. There are also cases were older men act sexual with younger girls on myspace. For example Alexandra Marks with Christian Science Monitor caught an older man talking sexually with a younger girl. Alexandra Marks says "the man was sentenced 14 years in prison for using Myspace to set up a sexual encounter with a girl"(Marks, A). This is just one instance there are many more current cases out there fighting the same exact thing.
Wendy Koch with USA TODAY says "At least 16 police or sheriffs' departments appeared to have profile pages on Myspace to seek investigative tips or deter predators, but USA TODAY found that at least six were fakes"(Koch). This just goes to show that anyone can act like anyone on the Internet, its very easy for people to be fake and act like someone they aren't. Myspace security ended up shutting down the fake police and sheriff Myspace accounts.
This just goes to show how Myspace can end up getting you in alot of trouble. If its letting people know your sexuality, committing a crime, or acting like someone you aren't. Now that National Security is getting involved things should start to settle down in the Myspace world.

Refrences

Koch, Wendy. (2007, March 13). Bogus Police Sites Posted on Myspace. USA TODAY. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=J0E151502422107&site=ehost-live

Marks, Alexandra.(2007, March 13). States Scrutinize Security on Myspace.Christian Science Monitor. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=24384098&site=ehost-live

Marks,P.(2006, June 10). Keep Out of Myspace. New Scientist. 190, 30-31