Social Networking Sites + Risks

sokitume san

Just wondering what people think of Social Networking sites and risks to young people?

I've noticed in the papers recently that a lot of children (those legally able to join these sites and those under 18) for example are using bebo and making their profile accessible to all.

Do you think bebo should not allow this function if you are under 16-18? I have been on bebo doing some research for a piece I am writing and came accross a lot of childrens sites - if I can do it, I am just wondering what other people are out there looking at their sites.

The content of their sites often seems to be drink related or of a sexual nature.

And then there are the stories of people being bullied on these sites.

I have heard of people creating fake sites pretending to be people they know. These sites often have disparaging remarks about the individual on their profiles. In one such case I heard of, the parent of a child could not contact anyone directly in Bebo to have the profile removed. She had to email them through the site and wait a number of days to have it removed.

topgold

I think Bebo is a passing fad. Rather than lobbying to ban participation in Bebo, I think special interest groups should publish stories about reputations being blemished by spoofs on Bebo. People need to know they should cloak their real identities when online in many places and Bebo deserves a cloaking.