Large social networking sites are taking extreme measures to provide a safe environment for their users. With password protection and some sites requiring an invitation from current members, there are still problems. Spammers use elaborate tricks to steal identities and passwords. Also, if any type of information is put on the internet, it is for all to see. Therefore, users must be aware of the risks of putting up really personal information.
Honesty plays a major role in online social networking safety, but children seem to be evading that rule. Profiles of children 14 and 15 years old are automatically privatized, but nothing stops a user from entering a false age.
Tom Anderson, co-founder of MySpace™, has even set restrictions on contact between people over the age of 18 and those under the age of 16, in hopes to reduce attacks from online predators. To contact a child, an adult needs to know the child’s full name and e-mail address. Although this is a good idea, there is, yet again, no way to stop a child from entering an inaccurate age.
Thus, the best advice for staying safe on MySpace™ and other such networking websites is to be sensible. MySpace’s™ Terms of Service are in place for the protection of the user and the company. These rules were made to be followed and that is the only way to remain 100% safe on online social networking sites.
Another important tip is NEVER agree to meet someone met online in person.
Online predators are a dime a dozen these days. Online social networking sites are taking their own precautions about their users after so many children have been the prey of online stalkers. MySpace™ has released safety precautions and is developing software to help parents keep tabs on their children.
This software, “Zephyr,” is designed to inform parents about their son’s or daughter’s MySpace™ profile. Although the software will keep parents updated about changes his child makes to his profile, the child still has his own “space.” A downside to this software is that it is only useful to the parents who already know their child’s MySpace™ address. Therefore, parents who do not know their child’s web address will be out of luck.
Social Shield™ is a program designed to "help parents protect their children on social networks." The program offers books, seminars, and even software to monitor a child's internet activities. PC Pandora records passwords and takes screenshots of e-mail accounts, instant message conversations, and general internet activity.