MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site

MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site
High Number Likely to Spur Calls for Age Verification for Social Networks

July 24, 2007

CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- MySpace has identified more than 29,000 registered sex offenders
on its social network -- more than four times the number it claimed to have found
in May, according to the North Carolina attorney general's office.

In the wake of several sex offenses that are alleged to have been traced to contacts
on social-networking sites, MySpace earlier this year began checking its registered-user
list against a database of registered sex offenders. In May, the News Corp.-owned
site said it had found 7,000 users.

Re: MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site

This is the hugest reason why I hate that site. I think - in situations involving teens - it's a breeding ground for situations with sex ofenders.

Unreal - I cannot get over the number

Re: MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site

That is just sickening, I never have liked that site from go.......

Re: MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site

MySpace is such a dangerous site, it sometimes amazes me it is still around!! To their credit though, it's not really their fault when 11 year olds register, claiming to be 18 .

Re: MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site

I'd be more concerned about the hunderds of thousands of sex offenders who are not on MySpace and walk the same streets as you and I. A lot has to happen before a child or anyone gets "involved" with an online sex offender and perhaps winds up meeting them, while anyone can be suddenly attacked on the street by one.

Think about it.

Besides, if you watch what your kids do and mind your own home, then you've already got a good start to protecting the ones you love.

Re: MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site

and the 29K is the ones they KNOW about. Convicted people and those that show up when cross-referencing databases.

Those stats do not show intent.

Re: MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site

I work in special ed with VERY vulnerable teenagers. (learning disabilities and emotionally disturbed). They just don't get it when I warn them to be careful. They act like I am just crazy.. I fear for them so much on that site. They are all on there and the pages are questionable. They are so the type to go meet some stranger..

That figure is SOOOO alarming!!!

Re: MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site

Reason #29 why I'm not on that site. Scary!

Re: MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site

Re: MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site

Re: MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site

Sex offenders have been around long before computers and websites. I think these things may bring out sex offenders, but they were always there.

Registries allow people to exercise caution and protect their children as best they can, but nothing is fool proof - especially if a sex offender has never been caught. For all of those who have been caught, I am sure there are many who havent been.

I do not think it is fair to blame any website for sex offenders. It takes a certain type of person to behave in such a criminal matter. Since so many hosueholds have computers with inhabitants of any age who can create a webpage in a snap, any person could feasibly be an offender or a victim.

Re: MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site

Put your page on PRIVATE!! I do!

Re: MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site

Honestly, I like that site! It has put me intouch with many of my sorority sisters that I had no info for. DH and I are both on it and so is my FSIL, my little brother, my cousins etc. We like putting silly stuff on each other's pages. I keep my page private to keep unwanted people away...and there are many unwanted people on there.

If I had kids/teenagers...would I want them on it...probably not!

Re: MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site

Posted by ~Colleen~

This is the hugest reason why I hate that site. I think - in situations involving teens - it's a breeding ground for situations with sex ofenders.

Unreal - I cannot get over the number

Re: MySpace: 29,000 Sex Offenders Registered on Site

Message edited 7/24/2007 8:19:50 PM.