Growing Concern Over MySpace.com

WHAS-TV (Louisville, KY): MySpace.com is wildly popular. It started up back in January of 2004 and now claims more than 47 million registered users. But some local schools are sending home notes telling parents beware. “Think about it -- there are predators out there. And we're putting children in harm's way. Why would we do that?� Tom Robbins is the director of counseling for Louisville’s Catholic schools and says M ySpace.com should be off limits to anyone under 18. “You give identifying information. And it's surprising how many do it. Pictures, addresses, school information, phone numbers,� he says. The web site clearly says if you're under 14, MySpace is no place for you. But as Tom Robbins points out, online, there's no way to tell if you are how old you say you are. He suggests keeping home computers in a family area where everyone has access, and if you allow your child to have a MySpace.com account, monitor it regularly.