MySpace Fears, Just Another Backlash?

An anonymous reader writes "Wired takes a hard look at all the hype about MySpace being a danger to teens, and concludes it's just another backlash against technology and youth culture. The most damning evidence against MySpace are the recent cases of men arrested for dating underage girls they met through the site, but statistically these cases are a drop in the bucket. From the article: 'In fact, with a reported population of 57 million users, MySpace is arguably safer from such crime than other communities that haven't been the subject of the same scrutiny. One example: California, which averaged 62 statutory rape convictions per month in the late 90s, in a state population of 33 million.'"

Comments

Back in the 60s

[montyzooooma]

my mom took my radio off me because she thought it was a danger. Of course I was using it to beat on the side of my brother's head at the time.

Not Just Another Backlash

[mattwarden]

No, it's not just another backlash. It's another backlash with background midi music and 30 animated gifs.

Re:Hype? Of course it is

[Anonymous Coward]

Try kicking it and you might find a date

Wizworm, I bow to your social skills.

I took up your advice, gave the sink a thorough kicking, and watched it explode in a shower of ceramic and water.

As the fountain arched higher into the air, I gave the plumber a call to help me out, who arrived with giant moustache, Danish accent, and a seventies theme tune.

I then knew this was my chance, but I would need preperation, so I made some excuse about needing to get some milk for his tea, and left him playing with his spanner.

Knowing now his mind would be occupied with thoughts of work and future rewards, I went over to his house and fucked his wife senseless.

Re:Maybe bad math?

[DistantShadow]

I'd argue that most of the 33 million residents of California are also adbots, fake profiles and inactive users. So, the ratio still holds...

-ds

The Real Danger of Kids Online

[SeanDuggan]

ya ..thats exatly what i wud have said (if u didnt say it b4 me)...same thing like...nuclear technology...einstein was not some one who wud like to bomb hiroshima,or some one who wud recommend Iran,israel or others to threaten each other for/with neuclear weapons!!! he was a nice guy!!
And this comment right here shows the real danger of kids going online, the fall of modern grammar and spelling. Do you really want your kid to sound like this?

And moyameehaa, maybe you're not a native English speaker. If so, I'm sorry that I had to use you as an example for this satire. If not... you should hang your head in shame, man.