MySpace Faces More Lawsuits

Thu Jan 18, 2007 5:34PM EST

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It's been a big week for MySpace news. The latest story is about what the popular social-networking site has been angling to avoid: lawsuits.

The families of five teenage girls who were sexually abused by adults they met on the site have filed separate lawsuits against MySpace and its parent company, News Corp., seeking millions of dollars in damages and charging negligence, recklessness, fraud and negligent misrepresentations. Their lawyers said the companies took too long to put security measures in place to protect underage members on MySpace. One plaintiff is a 15-year-old Texas girl who was lured, drugged, and assaulted by an adult MySpace member who is serving a 10-year-sentence for the attack.

This suit follows another filed by a Texas mom of a 14-year-old girl who says she was sexually assaulted by a 19-year-old who she says lied about being a high school senior to win her trust and her phone number.

The lawsuits are inevitable, but the best service they can provide is to spark more talks between parents and teens who spend time on MySpace and other social-networking sites. I think that's happening more and more even without this latest flurry of legal papers. The most recent findings by the Pew Internet & American Life Project show that more than half (55 percent) of kids age 12 to 17 use social-networking sites. And of them, 66 percent say they limit access to their profiles and do not make them open to everyone. You can see more of the findings on this PDF page.

In an effort to make it a safer space for underage members, MySpace has added more educational and safety tips on and off its site, restricted members 18 and older from contacting younger members, and will make software available this summer that will alert parents when their teens change their age or other basic profile info on MySpace. But all of that is no substitute for good judgment by teens and strong communication between parents and kids about how to socialize safely online.

Related links:

MySpace Move: Notification Software for Parents
A "24" Approach to MySpace Safety
MySpace to Screen Profiles for Sex Offenders

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  • 6 Posted by vwgirlie92882 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Parents need to take the responsiblity over their childrens' internet activities. Everyone is quick to point blame. The parents weren't involved in what their CHILDREN were doing online and now the children are victims. It is no one else's fault except the parents.

  • 7 Posted by alt_zd on Thu Jan 18, 2007 7:03PM EST Report Abuse

    In the general idea that you guys have right now, I agree. however, I don't agree with all of the things, namely, titalei's comment about teenagers being "naughty, nasty..." or whatever you were accusing us of. That's not fair, firstly, to make a generalized statement of an entire age group. I myself am a teenager, yet I don't spend all of my time on myspace, I don't dress inappropriately, or "talk nasty" to anyone. I only go on the computer for assignments, etc. (and reading yahoo news :) lol) so it isn't right to make a statement like "all teenagers are bad." I'm sure something bad could be said about any age group whatsoever. However, I find myself siding with all of you on the fact that Myspace is not to blame for this. Partly, it's the users of Myspace who spend all of their time there, and also the parents' fault for letting their children's habits continue... in essence, i agree with everyone so far ('cept your stereotype of teenagers, titalei_69. that was based entirely on opinion.)

  • 8 Posted by actionjackson_dc31 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think it is very silly that parents are taking MySpace to court. The internet is a really good resource, but also open to a lot of junk. Parents want someone to blame (other than themselves)when something bad happens to their kid. I think every parent should watch the movie Thirteen. Parents do not realize things have changed since they were kids. If parents teach their kids morals, respect, and how to be responsible.

  • 9 Posted by mizzcollins2004 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    Just because a girl talks dirty or dresses sexy does not mean she should be raped or that she asked for it! Men should be taught to control themselves as well as girls being taught to use common sense.

  • 10 Posted by lilfunkieone on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree that it shouldn't be myspace's responsibility for what happened to the teens. I think that the parents are the ones that should be held accountable for not monitoring what their children are doing. Parents can block access to different internet sites such as myspace on their home computers. Plus parents should be talking to their kids about the different things that happen in society. It's on the news all the time these days about predators use the internet to lure unsuspecting people into doing things. I have a 6 year old child and I am never too busy to know what is going on in his life and never will be, even if that means I would end up being poor until the time he's older and on his own.

  • 11 Posted by pierredennie on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    The is not on myspace. The parent should have been watching what her child does online. And they tell you dont give personal information away. If that was my child yes I would be mad, but it would be on me not telling my child what to do on the computer. The parents should montior there child while online. and they come out with web filters for you to use.

  • 12 Posted by butterball412 on Thu Jan 18, 2007 7:21PM EST Report Abuse

    first off, the parents have no place to file lawsuits. if they were watching their children and supervising what they are doing on the computer, they wouldnt have these problems. if you pose to be a 19 year old girl when you are 14 you are asking for trouble. and if you are 14, you have no place on myspace to begin with.

  • 14 Posted by coryaac2151@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    Just wanted to chime in here: While several respondents here have been citing parents and/or (even worse) the victims assaulted by sexual predators while the victims (rather, the victim's parents, really) want to sue the socks off of MySpace (as I'm sure the perpetrators themselves aren't mulit-millionaires with deep pockets), the bottom line is the ones who perpetrated the crime committed crimes and THEY are the ones who are guilty. There's quite a definitive difference between trapping and entrapment: these adult creeps who preyed upon these younger girls created the situation, took advantage of the opportunity and (again) committed the crime. MySpace, meanwhile, has no direct role in the tragedy. If these thugs instead contacted their prey by responding to a Pen Pal ad in the newspaper, it's not as if the newspaper should (or could) be charged for being an "accessory" to the crime somehow. What else? Could the pen and paper manufacturers the men wrote to the girls with be sued too? How about (getting back to MySpace...and more modern times) the internet service provider? The phone/cable satellite company, the hardware upon which isp's provide their service? Why not add the manufacturer of the respective computers each party used to display...you get the picture. MySpace is no more a "means" for these crimes than anything else and therefore does not share the guilt. Unlike a gun, MySpace does not have a singular purpose; some people just blog and express their ideas with no interest in making new friends. Others promote a product, a service; a political cause. These misguided lawsuits, on the otherhand, are only promoting confusion of the real issue.

  • 15 Posted by libbygail_51 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    You can't place all the blame on the offender, nor MySpace, the kids have to take responsibility for some of this. They too post their ages wrong, sollicit older people, post near nude pictures. You parents need to monitor their sites and see what they are posting and saying abaout themselves. So, its more parental involvement that is needed along with screening for sexual offenders. And don't forget about the hackers, they get on and send out smut too, Parents, know what ur kids are doing and what they are saying online.

  • 16 Posted by msalhasan@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think by 15 yrs old, these girls should know better or they should not be allowed on a computer. I agree that myspace should be monitored, but financially responsible? These parents need to shoulder some responsibility! Its to easy to blame someone else now days!

  • 17 Posted by your_buckle_bunny on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    And to address alt_zd on the stereotyping: You're right. Alot of teenage girls aren't hoe's. But you have to admit alot of them are, too. That really is good that you yourself are not among the trash, and I applaude you. I'm 20 now, but I was a 'good girl' in High School too and an outcast because of it (not to say that you are). But I remain firm in my opinion that most of the little 13-18 y/o's out there need to keep their legs together and their hands to themselves...And that has nothing to do with Myspace.

  • 18 Posted by kuddlinkrissy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am a mother of 5 children, 3 of them have myspace pages.... I agree with alot of the comments here.. THE PARENTS NEED TO BE MORE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIER CHILDREN. I know what my kids are doing, I check thier sites, I have thier passwords... and they are not allowed to add anyone to thier friendslist that they do not already know from school or church. You can never be too safe. PARENTS , DONT BE AFRAID TO KNOW EVERYTHING YOUR KIDS ARE DOING.... IT JUST MIGHT SAVE THIER LIVES. THEY WILL THANK YOU FOR TEACHING THEM GOOD MORALS WHEN THEY HAVE CHILDREN. Preventing your children from having a myspace isnt the answer either.... they will sneak it... I know of several who do..... just make them set it to private... and check it regularly. I also make my kids pages say something to the fact that others know , I watch the activity. The first sign of negligence, and NO MORE COMPUTER.... BE THE PARENT... NOT THE ONE WHO PLACES BLAME WHERE IT DOESNT BELONG. Sure these pedifiles are wrong, and discusting.... and it seems they are being caught ( hopefully most) and punished. Let the law do that part, and us parents do our part, by raising our children properly, with the good morals and values, and the old fashioned " you'd better not ", and discipline where it needs to be if rules are not followed.

  • 19 Posted by kaicee8507 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wow another example of sue happy america! Myspace should not be the one to blame for the negligence of the parents. It is your responsibility as a parent to know where your kids are, what they are doing online and who they are talking to and meeting! How does a 14 year get to go meet this guy... she didnt drive herself I am sure of that. I think someone needs to sue the parents for their negligence. Granted you cant be everywhere your kids are and know all that they are doing all the time, but there are prevention measures to safe guard your children from this, they are called parental controls on your computer. Plus parents know this happens, lets be more pro active then re active. How long have you lived under a rock, they show dateline specials on guys and there are probably girls who do the same pretend to be 15 or 20 or whatever and lure in young people. Sick yes, wrong yes, unneccessary yes... BUT IT HAPPENS SO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. Dont make myspace responsible for your lack of being a parent to your children. If you didnt allow the computer and tv and video gaming consoles babysit and monitor your children and actually spent time with your child and go involved with what they are doing then this would be a little less frequent! Personally I am a college student who works full time and goes to school full time and lives at home. If I dont call and let my parents know what is going on or if i am staying somewhere else or will be much later then expected (and I am over 20) they are calling my cell phone wondering whats going on. Plus I happen to use myspace and it is a great way to keep in contact with my friends who are away at school and family that is out of state. IF YOU DONT KNOW THE PERSON (minus artist) THEN DONT ADD THEM, DONT MESSAGE THEM, AND PLAIN AND SIMPLE DONT GIVE THEM ANY INFORMATION ABOUT YOU THAT WOULD HELP THEM GET TO YOU... DUH! Plain and simple, stop looking for someone else to blame for your lack of good parenting skills! Get involved and take a look as to what your child is doing!

  • 20 Posted by munchkinsmommy5402 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    since when is it a web site responcibility to "babysit" the kids on the internet. the parents should be responciable to keep control over what there kids do on and off the web. I am a parent and my kids are on the web alot. thank goodness i talk to my kids while they are online alot. I also have take the time to know where my kids are going and who they talking to and also have the software on the computer to see where they have been what they are doing and who they are talking to. Parents must be the person who watches there kids. Myspace take the time to ask if they are over 18 some sites i have seen do not even do that. But it is up to the parents to talk to there children to make sure that they know how to be on the internet and how to be safe. You can not blame someone or a co. for the mistakes that parents make by not talking to there kids. More parents should talk to there kids about the risks of the internet before they are online. I understand that kids are at risk online, but unless you are a active parent you will never know what kind of risks that your kids are faceing online. As the parent you can control your kids. the time they get the places they go and don't tell me you can not. My kids are not angels they get busted for trying to go and do stuff they are not suposed to. and they get mad at me but they get over it and know i am just being a good mom... and i don't want to hear that it's because they are single parents because that is just an excuse. The effective range of that one has warn out.

  • 21 Posted by delphina21 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    I totally agree with the "hardball" responces of butterball412, coryaac2151, msalhasan, and especially with "your_buckle_bunny! I think its the only answer to this problem! I too think these slutty acting teens these days are rediculous! These parents "allow" these girls to wear the shortest shirts and skirts, wear thongs poppin out of there pants as they bend over, and the teen guys wear their pants hanging clear to their knees! The girls wear so much make-up you can barely see the real color of their eyes! They mouth off to anybody and everybody! They are allowed to go to school dances where the girls are "grinding their hips" on the boys legs! Now there allowed to get on a computer "unsupervised" and talk sleez-bag trash to strangers, all in the comfort of their parents "Home Sweet Home". Where the heck is the limit to what teens are allowed to get away with anymore? And then the parents are sueing people for what they allowed their kids to get away with all this time?? Sorry but if you feed into trouble your only going to fester more trouble PARENTS! So STOP letting your kids tell you what there going to do, when there going to do it and take charge by biting that tongue and telling your kids the simple little word of just........."NO!" I also agree with kuddlinkrissy, we as parents do need to be watching and checking and setting the stage for our kids to do the right thing! Not by handing them a computer and say, "No be good now, ya hear?" Their little minds cannot handle the temptation!! And we as parents have to be watching their every move until they are old enough to do that! Yeah, there are some kids out there that are the exception. Some kids just have their heads screwed on straight at an early age, and praise GOD for them!! But for the 98.5% that dont, we need to set LIMITS! MAJOR LIMITS to there attitude, their mouths, and their freedom! Then we wouldn't have the need to sue "MySpace" or any other place for that matter! Kids nowadays have way too much at way too early in life today, thats why they keep getting into trouble at earlier and earlier ages. Yes, it is awesome to have such awesome technology but we need to watch our kids more! So PARENTS...wake up, it is only going to get worse if you DO NOT take charge, and set some major limits NOW!! And for the girls that already got violated, I feel bad for them, but I would feel worse for them if they were sitting at home doing their homework, or chores, minding their own business, and they were violated. Sorry but I have a hard time feeling sorry for somebody that set themselves up for the big FALL!!

  • 22 Posted by delphina21 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    In case anybody was wondering about my harsh responce...yes I do have kids. I have a 18y/o and a soon to be 16y/o. So yes, I have been there and almost have seen it all. I dont think I will ever actually see it all with kids nowadays....but with my kids, I have gone though just about everything every other parents has. But I have to say as I look back, I started my kids off with being strict early on when it came to attitude problems, lying, being sneaking, malnipulative behavior, and with my daughter being boy crazy. Parents it isnt that hard to say NO if you start them early. Some parents seem to always give in to their screaming, whining kids way too much, then later when their teens wonder why they cannot control them anymore! And when they mess up, these parents go WAY out of there way to bail them out of there troubles! WRONG! Yes, we feel bad for them when they have to suffer, be we are doing them NO SERVICE if we bail them out! Example: my son decided he was going to throw a fit one day cuzz he couldnt have his way at age 17 and bashed his fist into my car and dented it. My responce: I told him he was wrong for what he did, and followed through and made a police report. Filed papers against him, and he was forced to pay for the damage. Some parents will probably go..."OMG! how mean" but we have to teach these kids, whether our own or somebody elses, that they need to be reaponsible for what they do. Question: what if he would of did that to the neighbors car? He would of gotten the same response. Thats what we need to teach these kids nowadays!! Now have I seen another temper tantrum of that degree from him since that?? The answer is NO, and he will be 19 on May. So PARENTS it is not that hard to be a parent as long as we start early, watch everything their doing, and have a zero tolerance for bad behavior, and set some major limits if they are prone to run right into trouble! So NO I do not believe it is MYSpace fault for the trouble some of these parents are having! It all boils down to YOU! Remember: the apple that tempted Adam and Eve???? This MySpace thing is all about temptation and how US as parents have to take responsibility for what OUR kids do, and not to be foolish and BLAME others for our lack of supervision!!!!

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