MySpace.com subject of sex assault probe

Sam · Post by **Sam** » February 3, 2006 3:55 pm

Also just to let people know there is another expose on tinternet predators coming NBC Dateline I think it is. It is part III of the one we talked about before elsewhere in here and who these men were and how stupid some of them were to actually be caught twice and what not.

Supposedly this time the men are arrested... I am not sure if it comes on tonight....( Friday) or when but I know it is VERY SOON.

Keep the Keets Safe!

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http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/ ... aults.html

Friday, February 3, 2006 · Last updated 3:20 a.m. PT

MySpace.com subject of sex assault probe

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Police are investigating whether as many as seven teenage girls have been sexually assaulted by men they met through the popular Web site MySpace.com.

The girls, ages 12 to 16, are from Middletown and say they were fondled or had consensual sex with men who turned out to be older than they claimed. None of the incidents appeared to be violent, said Middletown Police Sgt. Bill McKenna.

He said it was difficult to determine the exact number of victims because some girls have been reluctant to disclose that they met their assailants online.

The social networking Web site allows users to create profiles that can include photos, personal information and even cell phone numbers.

In a statement Thursday, MySpace.com said it was committed to providing a safe environment for its users. The site, which includes safety tips, also prohibits use by anyone younger than 14, though a disclaimer says the people who run the site can't always tell if users are lying about their ages.

HsvParrothead · Post by **HsvParrothead** » February 5, 2006 8:07 pm

The social networking Web site allows users to create profiles that can include photos, personal information and even cell phone numbers.

That's false... nowhere on the site does it have a field for entering you're cell phone numbers to be publicly displayed... it NEVER asks for such information when setting up your account.

When I first joined myspace no one under 18 was allowed... but soooo many high schoolers were opening accounts claiming to be in their twenties in order to gain accounts, the site finally allowed younger people (minimum to 14) to open accounts... BUT they are set-up as "Private" accounts for persons between the age of 14 and 18, and you cant even see ANY info about a private profile unless you are added as friends AND the only way to request to be added to a person with a "private" account is to know either their last name or their email address.. then the holder of the account must still approve you. So the ONLY way these youngin's managed to add Older men was if THEY requested to add them themselves... OR if they were still lying about their age in order to get accounts that were not restricted..

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » February 5, 2006 8:13 pm

HsvParrothead wrote:The social networking Web site allows users to create profiles that can include photos, personal information and even cell phone numbers.

That's false... nowhere on the site does it have a field for entering you're cell phone numbers to be publicly displayed... it NEVER asks for such information when setting up your account.

No, it doesn't ask for a cell number, but it'd be easy enough to enter it in a field meant for something else.

Pedophiles troll myspace looking for kids who shouldn't be there, but are....

Brown Eyed Girl · Post by **Brown Eyed Girl** » February 5, 2006 8:15 pm

Well, pedophiles are accessing that info. Are there chat rooms/message boards associated with myspace? We've had two girls disappear and end up dead and 4 other kids who have disappeared and for ALL of them the last stuff accessed on their computers before they disappeared was myspace. I'm guessing for 75% of the folks that are on there it's just a place to hook up with someone. Seems basically like an internet version of Spring Break to me.

HsvParrothead · Post by **HsvParrothead** » February 5, 2006 8:25 pm

I've used it to network with lot's of people in Key West.. and it's worked GREAT for that purpose... I have many, many friends in KW now... several I managed to hang out with last November! One of which is helping hook me up with the job at Fat Tuesdays! I've also managed to reconnect with several guys I drummed with in college!

There are message boards/discussion groups on there...

My point is, it seems as if the reporter is trying to lay some implied blame on the site and you cannot hold them liable, that's a crock... it's the parents responsibility.. and truthfully - Parents cannot or will not do such... you simply have to raise your children the best you can and hope that they make wise decisions when trouble presents itself.. just like being offered that drink after prom or riding with your buddy who's had too much to drink... accidents are going to happen... situations like this with the internet is just the latest dance with danger that parents have to look out for and teach their children not to play victim too - and hope they get it right when faced with the decision!

MA_Buffett_Fan23 · Post by **MA_Buffett_Fan23** » February 5, 2006 8:28 pm

HsvParrothead wrote:I've used it to network with lot's of people in Key West.. and it's worked GREAT for that purpose... I have many, many friends in KW now... several I managed to hang out with last November! One of which is helping hook me up with the job at Fat Tuesdays! I've also managed to reconnect with several guys I drummed with in college!

There are message boards/discussion groups on there...

My point is, it seems as if the reporter is trying to lay some implied blame on the site and you cannot hold them liable, that's a crock... it's the parents responsibility.. and truthfully - Parents cannot or will not do such... you simply have to raise your children the best you can and hope that they make wise decisions when trouble presents itself.. just like being offered that drink after prom or riding with your buddy who's had too much to drink... accidents are going to happen... situations like this with the internet is just the latest dance with danger that parents have to look out for and teach their children not to play victim too - and hope they get it right when faced with the decision!

I agree with Kev on this one... I've been able to reconnect with friends who I haven't talked with in 9-10 years...

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » February 5, 2006 8:33 pm

HsvParrothead wrote:I've used it to network with lot's of people in Key West.. and it's worked GREAT for that purpose... I have many, many friends in KW now... several I managed to hang out with last November! One of which is helping hook me up with the job at Fat Tuesdays! I've also managed to reconnect with several guys I drummed with in college!

There are message boards/discussion groups on there...

My point is, it seems as if the reporter is trying to lay some implied blame on the site and you cannot hold them liable, that's a crock... it's the parents responsibility.. and truthfully - Parents cannot or will not do such... you simply have to raise your children the best you can and hope that they make wise decisions when trouble presents itself.. just like being offered that drink after prom or riding with your buddy who's had too much to drink... accidents are going to happen... situations like this with the internet is just the latest dance with danger that parents have to look out for and teach their children not to play victim too - and hope they get it right when faced with the decision!

Kev, I agree with everything you've said, except for one thing: I don't really think the reporter was trying to slam myspace, but just report on the facts about what's going on there.

Myspace is a terrific resource. Unfortunately, kids (and sometimes adults) think they're bulletproof, and often aren't smart about what they put online...

habourgirl · Post by **habourgirl** » February 5, 2006 8:43 pm

HsvParrothead wrote:I've used it to network with lot's of people in Key West.. and it's worked GREAT for that purpose... I have many, many friends in KW now... several I managed to hang out with last November! One of which is helping hook me up with the job at Fat Tuesdays! I've also managed to reconnect with several guys I drummed with in college!

There are message boards/discussion groups on there...

My point is, it seems as if the reporter is trying to lay some implied blame on the site and you cannot hold them liable, that's a crock... it's the parents responsibility.. and truthfully - Parents cannot or will not do such... you simply have to raise your children the best you can and hope that they make wise decisions when trouble presents itself.. just like being offered that drink after prom or riding with your buddy who's had too much to drink... accidents are going to happen... situations like this with the internet is just the latest dance with danger that parents have to look out for and teach their children not to play victim too - and hope they get it right when faced with the decision!

Kev's one of my friends on myspace....

Anyway... here's my 2 cents, considering this report came out in my state. The reporters definitely mislead some people in their comments. Myspace is used to connect with old friends for most people. I'm not saying what these predators did was ok. It was not. But i don't think myspace is to blame.

I love myspace!!!

HsvParrothead · Post by **HsvParrothead** » February 5, 2006 8:48 pm

SchoolGirlHeart wrote: Kev, I agree with everything you've said, except for one thing: I don't really think the reporter was trying to slam myspace, but just report on the facts about what's going on there.

Myspace is a terrific resource. Unfortunately, kids (and sometimes adults) think they're bulletproof, and often aren't smart about what they put online...

That's EXACTLY why I choose not to include photos of my daughters or even indulge others as to the fact that I'm a father on myspace, except in private with those whom I have gotten to know better - even then no photos, given the broad range of "members" of that type of site... I personally dont trust it enough with that level of personal information... too many sick f*@#!$ out there

HsvParrothead · Post by **HsvParrothead** » February 5, 2006 8:50 pm

MA_Buffett_Fan23 wrote: I agree with Kev on this one... I've been able to reconnect with friends who I haven't talked with in 9-10 years...

You're on there?? And havent even sent me an add...

MA_Buffett_Fan23 · Post by **MA_Buffett_Fan23** » February 5, 2006 8:55 pm

HsvParrothead wrote:
MA_Buffett_Fan23 wrote: I agree with Kev on this one... I've been able to reconnect with friends who I haven't talked with in 9-10 years...
You're on there?? And havent even sent me an add...

That's cause I'm hardly ever on it... what's your info?

HsvParrothead · Post by **HsvParrothead** » February 5, 2006 8:59 pm

MA_Buffett_Fan23 wrote:
HsvParrothead wrote:
MA_Buffett_Fan23 wrote: I agree with Kev on this one... I've been able to reconnect with friends who I haven't talked with in 9-10 years...
You're on there?? And havent even sent me an add...
That's cause I'm hardly ever on it... what's your info?

click my "www" icon below my sig line

MA_Buffett_Fan23 · Post by **MA_Buffett_Fan23** » February 5, 2006 9:13 pm

HsvParrothead wrote:
MA_Buffett_Fan23 wrote:
HsvParrothead wrote:
MA_Buffett_Fan23 wrote: I agree with Kev on this one... I've been able to reconnect with friends who I haven't talked with in 9-10 years...
You're on there?? And havent even sent me an add...
That's cause I'm hardly ever on it... what's your info?
click my "www" icon below my sig line

sent! although my page needs a lot of work!!!

Jollymom21 · Post by **Jollymom21** » February 5, 2006 9:39 pm

SchoolGirlHeart wrote: Unfortunately, kids (and sometimes adults) think they're bulletproof, and often aren't smart about what they put online...

Many of my sons' friends have accounts. These kids are all under 18 but say they're older. If you were to read any of their sites, you could easily see that they're only in H.S. They give false ages and info in one area of the page to try to be safe, but then talk about being on H.S. school teams, where they're really from, etc. in another area of the page. Any creep could figure it out.

Our school district says they're going to look into this so they can inform parents as to what's really going on but so far we haven't heard anything.