Ben's Domain- Articles/Essays (March 2007)

June 2007

Social Networking Safety Guide

I feel no sympathy whatsoever for these slutty teenagers who have gotten raped or killed because of MySpace. Isn’t it common sense to not give out personal information on websites like these? MySpace is great for keeping in touch with friends and family. But using it to meet people? Nuh-uh. Go out in the world and frickin meet somebody! MySpace is a social gathering for stalkers and pedophiles. Oh, have you met somebody cool that you want to get to know better? Stop right now. Do not go any further. For all you know, this guy may be planning to kidnap, rape, or kill you! You’re one sad little jackass if you don’t have the ability to go out in the world and meet somebody yourself without using a computer.
Do you know what gets my blood going? Parents. Parents think you have no sense of responsibility. They accuse you because they think you will give out personal information. Well, newsflash parents, some of us just want to keep in touch with friends. We don’t need to meet new people on the internet, because we have the social skills or appearance to do so in the real world. If you lack the ability to trust us, then, well, you’re not gonna have a good relationship with us in the future. When your daughter gets raped, however, it is largely YOUR fault. You didn’t take the time to get off your lazy ass and teach them right from wrong. You didn’t teach them responsibility. Now, what if you did? You should’ve realized if they didn’t get it. The other portion is your daughter’s fault. She should’ve used her frickin common sense! No, it is not MySpace’s fault; how would it be? Take my advice and drop your lawsuit; you’ll save much time and money. That being said, look below for my MySpace Safety Guide.

Never, ever, ever give out personal information. Well, what is personal information? Hmmm…..Well, I don’t see any harm in giving out your first name, a picture or two, and a few characteristics. The world is simply too big for someone to find out about you if you only list those things. But never, I repeat never, give out your phone number! I have seen many people list their cell # in their profile, and man, this is the dumbest thing in the world, because some freak can call you and convince you to give out personal info or harm yourself! Now, if your profile is private, that's one thing... but just don't. You cannot trust anybody.
Don’t give out your last name (With Facebook, you have to give it out, but then again Facebook has better privacy options than Myspace).Your friends will be recognize you by a picture and your first name. There is simply no need to give out a last name, because it just makes it easier for someone to find you.
Don’t say where you live. Do you live in Albany, New York? No one cares. Do you hang out by Garfield Skate Park? No one cares (Your friends already know that, right? and if you want a specific someone to know that, message the person). Like I said before, your friends will be able to recognize you by a picture and first name. There is no need to give out that sort of information. Just say you live in Somewheresville, New York. Ha-ha! Or, better yet, how about Somewheresville, United States? Maybe make up a city in some random country. I do it, and my friends recognize me perfectly.