Why are the youths of today so addicted to MySpace?
Article by Jackie Atta-Hayford, age 15, and Esther Sobogun, age 16
Over the past few years the young generation are rapidly becoming more acquainted with the internet. In particular the famous friends networking website MySpace which was first introduced in the U.S. My Space has
over 106 million members in over 17 different country. MySpace is a networking website that comes with various features from storing your pictures to instant messaging. As well as this, up-coming artists can go on
this site to promote their songs and businesses. So why does MySpace appeal to you? We went out and asked users their opinions about MySpace and why it is so addictive.
Hannah:
“ MySpace is a good way to talked with your friend and meet a range of people”
Annabel:
"
It’s not addictive. The reason why people spend so much time on MySpace is to see if we have messages or Comments.”
Daniella:
“It's a great way to get to know people you wouldn't usually talk to. And it helps you meet new people, I've met loads of really lovely people here, who I probably wouldn't have met had it not been for MySpace.”
Kasia:
“MySpace packed with hours of fun and it is a great way with communicating with your mates !!"
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A safe way to meet new people? |
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John:
“It's a way of communicating with people you'd never see otherwise and not losing touch with them. It's also a great way of meeting new people in a safe environment that's in your control.
Claudia:
“It’s quick and easy to chat to your friends. You meet lots of new
people, and when you meet someone new, you can just give them
your MySpace …”
It’s clear that MySpace users’ love of MySpace is based on communication and making new friends safely. But all internet users know that MySpace along with any other networking website is not always safe.
The minimum age for joining MySpace is 14 so younger users can be targeted by paedophiles, there are hackers who can find out your password and in turn all your details, and the new phenomenon of, “MySpace Stalkers”. MySpace users that watch their victim’s MySpace
and continually message and comment their victim, refusing to leave
them alone.
Needless to say, 106 million people throughout the world are willing to take these risks and enjoy using MySpace, be it for keeping in touch with old friends or meeting new ones. Along with newer MySpace-like Websites such as Bebo, Hi5 and Facebook, the “MySpace Culture” is rapidly growing in popularity.
www.MySpace.com
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| TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE: |
| 1 |
Make your page private. You can set your MySpace to only accept friend requests from people that know your last name to avoid random people adding you. |
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Don’t put out too much personal information like where you live to avoid people finding you. |
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Don’t post pictures that you think might encourage stalkers. |
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Check someone’s profile before you accept a friend request. |
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Think before some one adds you. If you are 15 and a 33-year-old decides to add you, unless you know them it could be suspicious. |
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“He would constantly comment on my MySpace page and send me messages, and more messages if I didn’t reply to the messages and comments.”
“I was Stalked on MySpace.”
A MySpace user who wishes to remain anonymous, tells us her tale:
“I had an experience with being stalked on MySpace. I was added by a music profile so I assumed the person was an artist and added it. I was messaged by the person saying, “Wa gwan babes (How are you babes), listen to my music,” so I replied telling him his music was good and so on. Then the comments started. He would constantly comment on my MySpace page and send me messages, and more messages if I didn’t reply to his messages and comments. It escalated into him asking for my msn and phone number but I repeatedly said no since I’m not the type of person to meet people over the internet. He would constantly say things like “Why are you ignoring me?”, “I just want to get to know you”. I added him on msn eventually just to stop him pestering me but soon after, I had him blocked and deleted both MySpace and msn because the hassle was getting too much. He kept trying to add me again and again. I got really scared that he would never leave me alone.” |
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| IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG ON MYSPACE: |
| 1 |
Try to resolve it sensibly by yourself, i.e. if it is one of your friends causing you trouble, tell them to stop or delete them. |
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Alert 'Tom' the creator of MySpace if problems persist. |
| 3 |
Delete your MySpace and create a new one. |
| 4 |
Alert the police. |
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