Pantagraph.com | News | MySpace finds 29,000 sex offenders

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

parenting wrote on Jul 26, 2007 7:14 PM:

" it all comes down to parenting. If parents take an active role in EVERYTHING their children are doing and get to know EVERY friend they have this will prevent a lot of this stuff. My son has a myspace account and I'm on it more than he is. I check it several times a day. Most days he isn't even on it himself but I still check it. He knows that I'm always checking on him wether it be on the internet, at school, or just out with his friends. I have his friends cell phone numbers in my own phone and have personally taken the time to get to know each and every one of his friends. They all call ME mom and would much rather hang out at my home than theirs or running the streets. Thats the way is should be. At least I know what my son is doing and who he is hanging out with. Parenting...it goes a long way if done correctly. "

The Devil wrote on Jul 26, 2007 4:23 PM:

" MySpace just like Walmart is taking over America. It is the work of the Devil. Satan himself. Stay away from these places they are addiciting and evil, just like Satan wants them to be. Shop at your local mom and pop stores and support real hard working Americans not big corporations. "

Myspace wrote on Jul 26, 2007 4:09 PM:

" why don't they actually create a section for these people? if you delete the pages, they will just re-sign under a different name? Humiliate them and send out bulletins and make it public on the site who they are so people do not talk to them. "

Paladin wrote on Jul 26, 2007 9:28 AM:

" ...why are kids allowed in MySpace? Because kids spend about 3 billion dollars a year in this country, of their own or their legal guardians' money. Every industry that panders to adults is also trying to get what money it can from the next generation. Money talks. All other considerations walk. What kind of Commie are you, trying to stand between MySpace and the buck it's trying to make? "

cont.. wrote on Jul 26, 2007 8:40 AM:

" we might want to focus more on everyday life including my space and teach kids to beware and what to watch out for and just let them know that it can happen, and to be open and discuss anything that don't seem right. "

wonder why.... wrote on Jul 26, 2007 8:38 AM:

" the age limit is what 14 to have a my space account, in order to get a my space account younger than that you have to lie about your age. (note i am not 100% sure of the age, so i apologize if i am off,but i do know there is a age restriction). right there is a number 1 reason to not allow children younger than that age on there. also....most likely if they come into contact with a perv on my space they may never come in personal contact. yes i know they can come hunt them down, i do know it can happen and has happened, BUT think about how many pervs they may come in contact everyday personally in everyday life. point is you cant be safe anywhere weather it is on the Internet, in the grocery store, or outside playing in your yard, at school, at a friends house,even for some poor kids in your own family get together. "

To: Michael wrote on Jul 26, 2007 8:33 AM:

" You know in a sick way you are right. I have my first child on the way and you better believe my kid will have access to the internet and everything. But I will teach her the rules and monitor to make sure she is safe. We can't hide kids from things we have to bring them to there attention and let them know what is going on. Yes there are going to sex offenders where my kid goes (mall, games, parks, etc...) so should we ban all those places from children unless they are with a parent. Start parenting and stop looking for someone else to do it for you. And I agree with the earlier response whether its the internet, gambling, or drugs if you don't talk to your kids about it someone will in high school or in college and then its up them and they know nothing about it. So talk to them and don't hide them from whats going on. "

Michael wrote on Jul 25, 2007 7:48 PM:

" if it ain't one thing, it's another that will kill, maim or destroy our children. if we had any sense at about it, we would realize the futility of it all and kill our kids and ourselves, the pervs couldn't get us then, but that is the only place we will be safe. "

MySpace wrote on Jul 25, 2007 6:39 PM:

" was intended for adults only... why are kids ever allowed in MySpace anyways??? "

Question: wrote on Jul 25, 2007 6:37 PM:

" Is that only in USA OR in another countries? MySpace has members all over the world.... "

geez wrote on Jul 25, 2007 5:31 PM:

" Let's just restrict kids from everything, and assume every registered sex offender is out to kidnap and molest children on Myspace. Turn a great site into a regulated bunch of crap, all because some people believe in a perfect world without the need for proper parenting. There are ways to monitor everything that goes on within the home when it comes to computer usage. Parents letting their children roam freely about the net is like letting them run around a busy expressway. All this is is another excuse to take away rights. Period. "

i got news for those my space banners.... wrote on Jul 25, 2007 5:24 PM:

" your children will grow up and go to collage or move away from home and they will want to know what it is all about. they are not going to leave home and say mommy told me not to so I'm staying away. the curiosity of a child. maybe we should teach safety and how to be alert of danger rather than ban it all together. "

my space wrote on Jul 25, 2007 5:21 PM:

" is good and bad, depends on what you use it for and how cautious you are. there are pervs everywhere, don't think if you don't allow your child on there that they will never come in contact. might as well face it like it or not it is the future and its not going away so instead of banning it all together why not learn/teach how to use it safely. here is a great family activity. sit down next to your children while on the computer/my space and interact with then and there friends. you might get to know them and there friends a whole lot better. "

Get with it wrote on Jul 25, 2007 5:03 PM:

" Most don't have the brain to realize that there are security settings. And can't take care of their own children and watch what they are doing. "

39 yr old wrote on Jul 25, 2007 2:38 PM:

" Riiiiight. "

to 37 year old... wrote on Jul 25, 2007 2:34 PM:

" well put. i will also say this. why is it that people blame myspace instead of blaming the parents? the internet should never babysit your children. i'm tired of the blame being placed in all the wrong places, just because there are too many bad parents out there that make the wrong decisions or are too "busy" to spend time with their children. "

37 yr old wrote on Jul 25, 2007 1:32 PM:

" I love the internet and myspace.com. It has given my grown daughter and I something in common and keeps the communication lines open while she's away at college. I've gained many healthy friendships via the internet. The avenue isn't evil. It's the intent of the individuals who misuse the tool of communication. Just teach your children how to remain safe. Whether online or not. "

Gee wrote on Jul 25, 2007 1:24 PM:

" Ya think. My space is riddled with pervs trying to lure innocent victims. Get a clue people. Don't let your kids ge a my space it is dangerous. I don't care how careful you try to be there is always that one idiot who will break in and kill your little girls. "

my space... wrote on Jul 25, 2007 11:54 AM:

" is not so bad as long as you fallwo a few simple rules for any age. set it to private. only add people you do know. and as far as kids, tell them to tell you if they find any odd behaviors on there or someone who keeps trying to contact them that they do not know, and keep tapes on what they do-do on it and who is on there freind list. pretty simply. "

Myspace wrote on Jul 25, 2007 11:52 AM:

" It does have a private-setting feature that would really come in handy if everyone would use it, although you still need to monitor who you add as a "friend". I an am adult and have a Myspace page, as do many of my friends. I live a distance from many of my friends and it allows us to keep in touch that way, when there isn't time for long phone calls or personal visits. But, there are a lot of people out there that are either a) naive & gullible, or b) exhibitionists. Kids are especially vulnerable. I commend Myspace for turning this information over to the authorities, although they did hedge about it too long. "

To: Myspace wrote on Jul 25, 2007 11:08 AM:

" Judging from your post I would bet that you are the child and not the parent. "

Chris Hansen wrote on Jul 25, 2007 11:01 AM:

" Gas up the van boys...we have a lot of work to do. "

Myspace wrote on Jul 25, 2007 10:58 AM:

" I have Myspace and My Oldest Son has Myspace. Myspace u can set ur page 2 private n that way nobody can look at ur profile til u add em. Just make sure ur kids r only addin ppl that they know. Set sum rules wit em n if they dont obey by em then u can delete but atleast give the kids a chance at myspace. "

That’s why wrote on Jul 25, 2007 10:33 AM:

" That’s why I don't let my kids get on MySpace.Com. They hate me for it but at least they are not having dialogue with perverted perverts !!!! "

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