This website has been lately in the news on sexual criminal issues. Predators are looking for teenage girls and boys. I have been navigating this site for months at the request of some parents. I'm shocked.
As of today, 55 million 717 thousand and 116 entries are on line.
The terms and conditions for the site use are clearly laid out but cannot be controlled. 75% of all entries are from teenage girls. Many are under 16. “Myspace” cannot control the age process. “Myspace” will kick off users under 14. How can they, not knowing their real age?
Four letter words, sexy pictures are standard features on most pages. Sexually explicit pictures are getting through. Profanity is the norm all too often. Porn video clips and coded messages are scattered throughout the website.
“Myspace” booms in popularity among teens. Some kids are addicted and spend hours and hours chatting and writing blogs.
Many schools have blocked “Myspace” so students can't access it from school computers. What is your school doing? What are you doing as a parent? Is the computer in your child's room? Are you able to look over his shoulders?
Log on to www.wiredsafety.org and become educated about the world of cyberspace. Protect your child!
Some parents wanted to know how to find their kids at Vasquez High on the “myspace.com”. It is fairly simple. First, become a member of “myspace.com”, then log on and start in the “SEARCH” tab. Fill in the blanks in the “CLASSMATE FINDER” dialog box. (Vasquez High - US - CA.). Click “FIND”. Vasquez High pops up. Click on it. In the results for “Vasquez high” dialog box, you need to set the age parameters. Change ages from 18 to 35 (standard) to 16 to 20 if you want that particular age group.
Check the box “CURRENT STUDENTS”. Click “UPDATE”. The pictures and logos of some 240 students show up. It is up to you now to browse the pages and find what you want. The same procedure can be used for other schools like Paraclete, Highland, Hart High, High Desert, etc
One can also log on to: http://groups.myspace.com/vasquezhighschool (some 141 members) Warning: some sites are very disturbing to view and read. Don't get caught up in it. Concentrate on you own child.
I also compiled some interesting data about Vasquez. Among 186 students, 99 professed being from Acton, 26 from Agua Dulce, 17 from Santa Clarita/Valencia, 9 from Palmdale, 2 from Little Rock, 1 from Lake Los Angeles, 23 did not care to say. Nine gave Acton and Agua Dulce derogatory names. Advice to some students: please show more respect for your parents, your school, your teachers and the town you live in.
I'm also asking the AADUS District to make “myspace.com” inaccessible on school computers. Other schools have done so.
Thanks for caring. You can also get in contact with me for further details and questions.
Bernard Schwab
269-0516 bschwab@antelecom.net