Slashdot Mirror
Teens Actually Do Protect Their Online Profiles
Thib writes "A study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project reveals that the majority of teens pay attention to what they are revealing about themselves in their online social profiles. For instance, while many routinely use their first name or include a picture, 'fewer than a third of teens with profiles use their last names, and a similar number include their e-mail addresses. Only 2 percent list their cell phone numbers.' The study comes to light just as state legislatures once again begin to mutter about the dangers of online predators. From the article: 'According to Pew, 45 percent of online teens do not have profiles at all, a figure that contradicts widespread perceptions that the nation's youths are continually on MySpace.'"
That's still a huge number of people who have exposed themselves to risk.
Why is it that politicians are always addressing the symptoms of societies problems?
How long till they want to simply ban the internet?
What is it that causes people to prey on children in the first place? I think there should be more investigation into that.
I am far more worried about senior citizens being preyed on than any child online.
I suggest you read Slashdot
fewer than a third of teens with profiles use their last names
Is it me, or is 33% a hell of a lot of stupid teens? I don't if I would be crowing that that somehow proves that there isn't a problem with teens protecting their identities.
Sometimes it's best to just let stupid people be stupid.
Personally, I think this is fantastic news. People expose themselves on the Internet far too often and quite often volunteer information which they really should not.
--
Geoff Robertson
3304 Celeste Ave.
Dupage, IL 39182
(630) 555-1221
than some politicians want to make them sound, it's a thinly veiled attempt to legislate morality. (again)
How about the politicians concentrate on some more important issues? Trade balance? Fiscal policy.
http://www.maxineudall.com/2010/02/should-economists-be-sued-for-malpractice.html
widespread perceptions that the nation's youths are continually on MySpace
What widespread group of people actually thinks this? I would love to see them back this up with valid statistical data. I think maybe it's "widespread perceptions [amongst the 4 computer-ignorant soccer moms at our office] that the nation's..."
This depends a lot on the website. On facebook you can choose who can see your profile, so in my case only my friends can see it. Other people can see my name, a picture (I seem to be the only one with a picture of me without alcohol in the shot) and can see who my friends are. However, on my profile, I put all my contact information so my old school friends can contact me if they want to.
"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." - Mark Twain
It can't be worse than high school. You have to go. You don't get paid. You don't get to pick whom you're with. You're not anonymous. The place is regimented, cliquish, and crowded. Being popular is hard work, and being unpopular is a pain.
Myspace is a relief from all that. The worst day on Myspace is better than a moderately bad day of high school. On Myspace people can annoy you, but you can block them. Unlike real life.
Maybe we can finally that prove Yes, finally you can that prove you have brains! us teens can actually think for themselves Indeed, why don't people realize that you can they do that?
Terrorists can't threaten a country's freedom and democracy. Only lawmakers and voters can do that.
Haha! Didn't even notice that, there's a slight chance CNN used a fake name but if they didn't that's a laugh worthy sentence right there. Perhaps we should be more worried about people giving their name to CNN?
Nice catch, worth a good laugh.
There are two kinds of fool One says 'This is old therefore good' Another says 'This is new therefore better'- Dean Ing
Last names aren't exactly the most revealing piece of info evar. Besides which, there is more than one case here: Someone could post their first & last names on a social networking site, such as Facebook, with a "friends-only" profile setting (the default) so that only people they authorize can see it (as I do), or they could just put it out there. There's a big difference, and I would have to wonder if the study took that into account. Also, people might have varying levels of personal info available on different sites (eg. have more info on a Facebook page than a /. or digg page, for the above reason).
You are now a member of my foes list, teenie.
After all, I am strangely colored.
That sir, is the most important part of this entire article.
Computers allow humans to make mistakes at the fastest speeds known, with the possible exception of tequila and handguns
I remember a little girly talking to me about how safe she was online. I sent her a google map link to her high school and the approximate location of her house and picture of her self.
She got the idea pretty quick.
There is no "-1 offended" or "-1 you don't agree with me" mod options for a reason.
Of course, part of the reason so few get abused by people they meet online is because people are careful. But kids aren't as stupid as many adults think. If a child is old enough to chat and set up profiles online, then explaining to them about how people may try to trick them to do bad things isn't that hard.
The word *actually* is only used by teenagers, and it means 'not'. eg
"No teacher, the dog *actually* ate my homework"
"They *actually* had sex in a bush"
"I hear they *actually* published Duke Nukem Forever."