MySpace Sued Over Alleged Sex Assault

[C-pher]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13437619/


Girl, 14, sues MySpace over alleged sex assault
Says Web site does not take sufficient steps to protect underage members
Updated: 1 hour, 34 minutes ago

AUSTIN, Texas - A 14-year-old girl who says she was sexually assaulted by another user of MySpace.com sued the social networking Web site Monday, claiming it does not take sufficient steps to protect underage members.

The girl says a 19-year-old man lied in his profile about being a senior on a football team to gain her trust and phone number.

Pete Solis was arrested in May on a charge of sexual assault of a child. He could not immediately be reached Monday evening.

The suit alleges that MySpace has “absolutely no meaningful protections or security measures to protect underage users.”

“(MySpace) has got to take this seriously,” said attorney Carl Barry, who is representing the girl and her mother. The suit seeks $30 million.

In a statement, MySpace said it is committed to the safety of its members.

“We take aggressive measures to protect our members,” said Hemanshu Nigam, chief security officer. “Ultimately, Internet safety is a shared responsibility. We encourage everyone on the Internet to engage in smart Web practices and have open family dialogue about how to apply offline lessons in the online world.”


Now, I don't know how I feel on this? Do we start to sue the bars and clubs where people meet and get date raped? I guess I fail to see how this is MySpace's problem. Where are the parents? Why aren't they held responsible for what their underage child is doing online?

[derek]

It's complete bullshit. Your parents are your protection against strangers. [rolleyes]

[Neptune Cat]

Where are the parents? Why aren't they held responsible for what their underage child is doing online?

+1

[LoginName]

Not to worry!

Our illustrious crime fighter of an AG has his sights aimed at MySpace...

http://www.ago.state.ma.us/sp.cfm?pageid=986&id=1664

AG REILLY DEMANDS CHANGES TO MYSPACE.COM WEBSITE TO PROTECT TEENS FROM ONLINE PREDATORS
Calls on website to take immediate steps to be
May 2, 2006
CONTACT: MEREDITH BAUMANN
(617) 727-2543

BOSTON -- Attorney General Tom Reilly is demanding that MySpace.com, the popular social networking site, make dramatic changes to its web site to ensure the safety of minors who use MySpace.

In a letter to company officials, AG Reilly demanded that MySpace increase its minimum user age from 14 to 18 after an investigation he launched in March 2006 revealed that MySpace does not have sufficient safeguards in place to protect children from sexually explicit and other inappropriate content.

AG Reilly's investigation also raised concerns that potential child predators use MySpace to locate and communicate with possible victims and that MySpace is also used to post violent images or content to bully or threaten children.

"MySpace allows 14 and 15 year-olds to register as members of its 'community' and claims to be able to protect their safety," AG Reilly said. "Our investigation revealed that these measures are not effective and do not protect children from being exposed to inappropriate content they just shouldn't see."

AG Reilly called on MySpace to improve the safety and security of its site by:

* Instituting an age and identity verification system;
* Equipping every MySpace page with a "Report Inappropriate Content" link;
* Responding to all reports of inappropriate content within 24 hours;
* Increasing significantly the number of employees who review images and content on the MySpace website;
* Implementing filtering technology that effectively blocks sexually explicit or violent images;
* Immediately deleting any profiles that violate MySpace's Terms of Use Agreement and permanently banning those members from using the site;
* Immediately removing all advertisements and other MySpace sponsored content that are inappropriate for children; and
* Offering free, downloadable software that allows parents to block use of MySpace.

AG Reilly's staff met with MySpace in March 2006 to discuss their concerns with how the website operated. Although MySpace maintains that only members under the age of 18 can view the profiles of members ages 14-15 years old, AG Reilly's investigation found that MySpace does not have any system in place to verify its members' ages. As a result, an adult can register as a minor member and use that profile to seek access to the profiles of countless underage members.

AG Reilly's investigators were able to register as minors 14 and 15 years old. The investigators were then able to gain access to numerous profiles of children between the ages of 14 and 17 years old.

The investigators also discovered that any user, regardless of age, can browse the MySpace website and find forums where children are posting messages. In these various forums, adults can not only view the child's picture, age, and hometown, but they can also communicate with the child.

AG Reilly criticized MySpace's own content on its website for contributing to the exposure of children to inappropriate content and communications. For example, the investigation revealed that MySpace regularly advertises 18+ "Intimate Dating" sites in its "High School" forums. During the investigation, MySpace's own search parameters allowed 14 and 15 year olds to search the site for "swingers" or designate themselves as "smokers" or "drinkers" in their user profiles.

AG Reilly's Office has become a known and respected resource on the ever-evolving world of the Internet, particularly as it relates to child safety. Since taking office, AG Reilly has devoted unprecedented resources to protecting Internet users and has dedicated staff specifically to education and training efforts.

As part of an effort to enhance parental awareness of online safety for children, AG Reilly's Office is leading a series of workshops throughout Massachusetts to educate parents about the dangers that children face when using the Internet. Today AG Reilly will conduct an Internet Safety program for parents in Weymouth warning them of the potential dangers that exist when their children use the Internet. In an April sting operation, AG Reilly charged six people for allegedly using the Internet to possess or disseminate child pornography.

AG Reilly has also worked to make the Internet safe for consumers, recently publishing a revised Consumer Guide to the Internet that provides parents with tips on how to make their children's online activities safer. Safety tips also describe how to avoid identity theft and so-called "phishing" schemes.

[Adam_MA]

Have I ever mentioned that Tom Reilly is a


SUCKBAG!

[KMaurer]

AUSTIN, Texas - A 14-year-old girl who says she was sexually assaulted by another user of MySpace.com sued the social networking Web site Monday, claiming it does not take sufficient steps to protect underage members.

The girl says a 19-year-old man lied in his profile about being a senior on a football team to gain her trust and phone number.

So is her point that she wouldn't have minded being raped if the 19yo was actually on the football team? She gives out her personal information to a total stranger, gets burned, and then complains that the stranger was 5 years older rather than the 4 years she expected (assuming she could do the math).

Being a victim means you never have to accept responsibility.

Ken

[bazfoo]

Good point, Ken.

[Lynne]

So is her point that she wouldn't have minded being raped if the 19yo was actually on the football team? She gives out her personal information to a total stranger, gets burned, and then complains that the stranger was 5 years older rather than the 4 years she expected (assuming she could do the math).

Being a victim means you never have to accept responsibility.

Ken

You beat me to it Ken.

And... Um, excuse me, Herr Reilly, but what's to stop the person from lying about their age to sign up???? What's that? Oh - yeah, that's right, you do have to knee jerk every so often, don't you? Nevermind... And expecting the parents to oversee what their children are doing on line is stupid too. Of course, you're right. It would hurt their image and make them feel like they've got parents instead of friends. Silly me. And heaven forbid! that we make the child be responsible by not giving out their info on line. I mean that would REALLY be expecting WAY too much. Carry on, General.

[rolleyes]

[matt]

Where are the parents? Why aren't they held responsible for what their underage child is doing online?

+1

Reilly would have us all emblazoned with bar codes to "protect" us if he had his way.

It's for the children!! It's the only way to be sure they'll be raped by someone they're own age!! uh... i mean to protect them...

[MARINE96]

as we all see Reilly spews forth more crap from his mouth to further his campagin.

[Jaxon]

It's complete bullshit. Your parents are your protection against strangers. [rolleyes]

++1!

She has enough sense to sue, but not enough to NOT accept blindly what you read on that type of site.

Unlike the general mayhem created here. :D

RJ

[MarkM]

A 14-year-old girl who says she was sexually assaulted by another user of MySpace.com sued the social networking Web site Monday, claiming it does not take sufficient steps to protect underage members.

The girl says a 19-year-old man lied in his profile about being a senior on a football team to gain her trust and phone number.

What a load of rubbish.

MySpace isn't responsible for her getting assaulted: she is responsible and her parent are responsible.

People need to take responsibility for their mistakes, instead of seeing it as an opportunity to sue and make a quick buck.

[BigRich06]

Myspace def isnt responisble for her assualt.

#1 She must accept the person before they even start to talk.

#2 She gave out her telephone number...they didnt make her

#3 They were e-mailing each other back and forth...No one was holding a gun to her head

#4 She agreed under her own free will to meet this guy

And another thing where are the parents during this whole thing?? How can they just let thier 14 y/o daughter go out with some guy they dont know?? Myspace is the last person they should blame. I hate when stupid parents try to make thier stupid inconsiderate actions look like someone else's.

[derek]

Myspace def isnt responisble for her assualt.

#1 She must accept the person before they even start to talk.

#2 She gave out her telephone number...they didnt make her

#3 They were e-mailing each other back and forth...No one was holding a gun to her head

#4 She agreed under her own free will to meet this guy

And another thing where are the parents during this whole thing?? How can they just let thier 14 y/o daughter go out with some guy they dont know?? Myspace is the last person they should blame. I hate when stupid parents try to make thier stupid inconsiderate actions look like someone else's.


Preaching ----> Chior [smile]

[Migmojo]

What a load of rubbish.

MySpace isn't responsible for her getting assaulted: she is responsible and her parent are responsible.

People need to take responsibility for their mistakes, instead of seeing it as an opportunity to sue and make a quick buck.


Typical problem in today's world:It's not my fault, blah,blah, blah.

[C-pher]

Didn't Famly Circus have a character called "Not me?" A little ghost that followed the kids around doing thing?

[FunYun]

In these various forums, adults can not only view the child's picture, age, and hometown, but they can also communicate with the child.

WHAT!!!!

18 yr olds communicating with 16 yr olds!

This guy is truely retarded. What does he think happens at high school every day?

[C-pher]

Well, I have a buddy that's a director for the morning show down in Austin.

Anyway, he said that they interviewed the guy on his station and they posted info on the site. He said that he's not sure how long this link will be valid...

But if you're ready for another crock of crap, then read on...

http://www.fox7.com/dynamic/story.asp?category=2#2

[Arioch]

Not to worry!

Our illustrious crime fighter of an AG has his sights aimed at MySpace...

http://www.ago.state.ma.us/sp.cfm?pageid=986&id=1664

AG REILLY DEMANDS CHANGES TO MYSPACE.COM WEBSITE TO PROTECT TEENS FROM ONLINE PREDATORS
Calls on website to take immediate steps to be
May 2, 2006
CONTACT: MEREDITH BAUMANN
(617) 727-2543

BOSTON -- Attorney General Tom Reilly is demanding that MySpace.com, the popular social networking site, make dramatic changes to its web site to ensure the safety of minors who use MySpace.

But who will protect us from Tom Reilly? [frown]