I know Internet can be very dangerous for teenagers; we all know that (no doubt about it). I just read this Newsweek Article: Predator’s Playground by Susanna Schrobsdorff and it’s pretty amazing. Apparently, the sexual predators are browsing MySpace.com for fresh “meat”!!! My god, they are everywhere! Here, give it a serious read:
an. 27, 2006 - In League City, Texas, it would be unusual to make one arrest of a suspected online sexual predator in a month. But in the last two weeks, detectives there have tracked down two men whom they’ve charged with sexual assault of a minor.
Both of the accused men found or conversed with their victims via the social-networking Web site MySpace.com, according to League City police.
I’m working on something similar…
Yes, I’m. With a couple of mates we are building right now a web service that could be used for sexual predators (I guess)… but the problem is, all web services that involves communities (forums, chats, blogs, etc) are exposed to this kind of sick people. It’s a shame.
What we are going to do about it
This article is making us think all over again our web app. We need to make it secure for everyone, not just for teenagers; but for all people out there. Handling user private info it’s one of the most difficult aspects of building an application; and we know it.
Problem is, they are out there looking for fresh meat. Best thing to do, its to be ready and in touch with authorities.
Read the full Newsweek story at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11065951/site/newsweek/