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Appeasing Parents Won't Work
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Published: January 17, 2008
Regarding "MySpace's Changes To Shield Teen Users" (front page, Jan. 15):
MySpace announced that all pages of people under 16 will be "private by default" to combat sexual predators. However, this setting can be easily changed by even a computer novice. What would be even easier would be to lie about one's age when prompted, a task anyone who can subtract 18 from 2008 can accomplish.
MySpace's actions are appeasement for parents who can't be bothered to monitor their children's online activity. The social networking sites should not be held responsible for the actions of criminals who misuse their tools. If a person solicited sex from a minor at a coffeehouse, would the public expect all coffee shops to keep children isolated from other patrons? This action is meaningless.
Blaming MySpace for sexual predators is like blaming the city of Dallas for John F. Kennedy's assassination.
LOUIS REICH
Tampa
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