Myspace it Is Not Surprising

MySpace

It is not surprising that MySpace and later virtual networking sites, such as FacebBook have become popular. Teens and young adults spend a great deal of time on the computer. This is time where they used to watch TV or get together with friends in person. The controversy about the pros and cons of these social sites continues, as millions more people sign up as members.

MySpace.com's membership has nearly quadrupled since in 2005 to 2006 to 40 million members. It ranked No. 15 on the entire U.S. Internet in terms of page hits according to Nielsen//NetRatings. Millions also hang out at other up-and-coming networks such as Facebook.com, for college students, and Xanga.com, with shared blogs. There are also 300 smaller sites, such as Buzz-Oven, Classface.com, and Photobucket.com (Business Week).

The proponents of these websites say that they are great for making friends and learning about other people around the world. Another website, About.com, gives these reasons for enjoying MySpace:

Big Network: If you are looking to meet or find people MySpace is a good place to look. There are lots of people on MySpace so finding people there is easy; Multimedia: They have music and videos you can add to your site for free; Advanced Editing: Add all sorts of things to your MySpace profile. Since you can use HTML and JavaScript in your MySpace editor you are open to adding almost anything; Keep in Touch: With email, blogs, IM, forums, bulletins and groups you can keep in touch with all your friends. (About.com)

The virtual world is also becoming part of today's society. According to Business Week, America's middle- and upper-class young people use social networks as virtual community centers, a place to go and sit around and communicate. While their parents go out to meet friends, their sons and daughters are talking both online and off. "Fully 87% of 12- to 17-year-olds use the Internet, vs. two-thirds of adults."

Many people talk about the relationships they make online. Some meet the people online and then arrange to meet in person. For example, Ellen Park Hurst on a blog admitted: "As lame as this is, I met the love of my life on myspace (we go to college down the road from each other, so it's not one of those stupid, sexless online relationships)."

College students like FaceBook, because they can find others that go to their university or one nearby. It is like one big telephone book. A student from North Hampton University wrote, "When people from your school look you up, they will see your profile. You can choose to include a photo, your likes and dislikes, your relationship status and sexual preference, political views, interests, and you also have the opportunity to join groups of users who share the same interests you do."

In fact, an article in USA Today says that FaceBook is becoming more popular than MySpace: They quoted one student as saying, "I never use it (MySpace) anymore, because most people my age now use Facebook," she says. "I can talk to people I haven't spoken to in years, and you can join college networks and meet people. MySpace is good for looking at bands and music, but for your own website, Facebook is much better."

Also, a student newspaper from Fairfield University (FU Mirror website) adds: "Only time will tell how long friendship will be measured by an invite and exchanging messages will replace old-fashioned talking. In the meantime, the phrase 'Facebook me!' will continue to be a common phrase heard at Fairfield, as it is at so many other campuses across the country." Similarly, Daniel Gilbert from the University of Chicago (Chicago Maroon website) wrote: Building a network on FaceBook is not creating a new community disjoint from a person's natural social community, it is creating a directory and a tool to help someone navigate flesh-and-blood social network."

On the other hand, many parents, educators and even some young people do not like these sites and warn about their problems. An article in the Register (website) relates that many adult users these websites expose themselves to risk from identity thieves and hackers. The concern is also that online predators use these networking sites to "groom" potential child victims for abuse. Studies are also looking at online behavior and the possibility of cyber-crime threats such as fraud, identity theft, computer spyware and viruses tied.

Gretchen Losi (Daily Press website) adds: MySpace allows anyone who claims to be 14 years of age or older to make a profile where they can post pictures with their last name, address, phone number and even a description of body type. Profiles anyone over 16 are available for viewing, making it easy for a stranger to locate a child. Profiles can be restricted to friends-only viewing, but most are open to the public.

Generatorspace.com (website) warns that many young people enjoy MySpace since it lets them network with friends and other people online. However, they should take safety precautions. There are a number of common sense things to protect oneself when using the MySpace website or seeing someone in person. "Many young people make the mistake of lying about their age, and this can make them the targets of pedophiles or criminals."

These sites are also big bonuses for marketers, advertisers and HR headhunters. MySpace makes a great deal of money from advertising. Jim Kurkral (website) gives talks to college students asking, "Did you know that everything you post at MySpace is currently being recorded, and spidered by search engines such as Google? In other words, do you realize that everything you say on your MySpace blog can be easily read by anyone who really wants to find it?"