2008 Woodie Awards
Facebook vs. MySpace: Why do we think one is 'safer' than the other?
MySpace or everyone's space?
Eric Feld
Issue date: 2/22/07 Section: Focus
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n just four short years, the social networking website, MySpace, has soared to a status of unmatched Internet popularity. Some estimates show that it is the sixth most popular website of any language and is, at times, the most visited site throughout the week in the United States. Because of its especially high popularity among college students, people often recognize MySpace as the Internet rival to Facebook.
MySpace, which boasts its tagline as "a place for friends," was initially launched in July of 2003 as the brainchild of programmers in California. Only two years later, Intermix Media--owners of Fox News and other Fox broadcasting--bought the site for $580 million. In the time since its founding, the reaches of MySpace have appeared limitless with versions in Australia, Japan, several European countries, and plans to continue expansion. Even the Internet goliath, Google, has tapped into its high visibility after paying $900 million to power a small search engine box off of personal profiles.
Over 230,000 new profiles are registered every day on MySpace. The website allows everyone from Internet novices to the Internet savvy a chance to personalize their allotted corner of the website in such a way that meets their fancy and abilities. For those illiterate to Internet codes, MySpace offers the option to choose from various pre-designed layouts and features such as a blog, personal information section, and even a favorite song that one would be automatically subjected to when visiting another's MySpace. More seasoned users are allowed the choice to design sections of their profile using HTML codes.
However, with such high Internet popularity and visibility, come highly publicized and seemingly endless legal troubles for both MySpace and its users. Numerous cases involving sexual assault, child predation, conspiracy to murder and more have resulted in lawsuits against the site citing its low level of security and easy accessible profiles. Most recently, four suits were filed in January claiming MySpace's lack of "meaningful security measures" led to the sexual assault of multiple 14 and 15 year-old girls in New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and South Carolina.
MySpace, which boasts its tagline as "a place for friends," was initially launched in July of 2003 as the brainchild of programmers in California. Only two years later, Intermix Media--owners of Fox News and other Fox broadcasting--bought the site for $580 million. In the time since its founding, the reaches of MySpace have appeared limitless with versions in Australia, Japan, several European countries, and plans to continue expansion. Even the Internet goliath, Google, has tapped into its high visibility after paying $900 million to power a small search engine box off of personal profiles.
Over 230,000 new profiles are registered every day on MySpace. The website allows everyone from Internet novices to the Internet savvy a chance to personalize their allotted corner of the website in such a way that meets their fancy and abilities. For those illiterate to Internet codes, MySpace offers the option to choose from various pre-designed layouts and features such as a blog, personal information section, and even a favorite song that one would be automatically subjected to when visiting another's MySpace. More seasoned users are allowed the choice to design sections of their profile using HTML codes.
However, with such high Internet popularity and visibility, come highly publicized and seemingly endless legal troubles for both MySpace and its users. Numerous cases involving sexual assault, child predation, conspiracy to murder and more have resulted in lawsuits against the site citing its low level of security and easy accessible profiles. Most recently, four suits were filed in January claiming MySpace's lack of "meaningful security measures" led to the sexual assault of multiple 14 and 15 year-old girls in New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and South Carolina.