Stevie: MySpace is evil.

[amber]

Originally Posted by skcin

I think she's generalizing - remember how she was complaining about her niece being on the computer all the time? That kids these days are socially retarded because most of their interaction is on the net? I don't think she's meaning Myspace the website, she's probably speaking of the net in general.

BTW - Myspace is fun but also creepy. I, like Deanna, have found people I thought I'd never hear from again, which is great. BUT I've also been propositioned by men despite the fact that Myspace profile states that I'm married, and I don't even have any sexpot whorey pics up. My teenage nieces are on it & I get really nervous. I try to keep an eye out for them & remind them not to post too much personal info, but it's scary.

Yeah, I just watched a show where girls thought they were being careful, but still let personal info slip between the three of them (last names, where they were going, etc). A cop posed as a 19 year old kid to see how easy it would be for online predators to get info about girls. They were underage so their myspaces were supposed to be private, but that was part of exposing how easy it is to get to them even if their spaces are private.
It was very easy. They said they added him without checking him out because he was on their friend's spaces, so they thought he was okay.

[diamondsnake]

Has anyone seen this website?

http://www.myspacesucks.8m.com/

It is kind of funny and in my opinion, 100% true.

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by skcin

I think she's generalizing - remember how she was complaining about her niece being on the computer all the time? That kids these days are socially retarded because most of their interaction is on the net? I don't think she's meaning Myspace the website, she's probably speaking of the net in general.

BTW - Myspace is fun but also creepy. I, like Deanna, have found people I thought I'd never hear from again, which is great. BUT I've also been propositioned by men despite the fact that Myspace profile states that I'm married, and I don't even have any sexpot whorey pics up. My teenage nieces are on it & I get really nervous. I try to keep an eye out for them & remind them not to post too much personal info, but it's scary.

yes yes YES! ITA.

[DrummerDeanna]

Originally Posted by diamondsnake

Has anyone seen this website?

http://www.myspacesucks.8m.com/

It is kind of funny and in my opinion, 100% true.

Didn't you already say you don't even USE MySpace...that means you are in no position to judge it. Some great people are on there and not using it for moronic reasons.

[Ghost_Tracker]

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

I love how the people who are the most against MySpace are those who don't use it and admit to knowing very little about it.

It can be dangerous, yes.

Oh - and I really want to commend you parents who either don't allow or chaperone your kids Internet usage. That is one of the big problem - parents who let their young young kids go wild on the Internet.

My sister teaches the sixth grade - even though they're not old enough ALL of her students have MySpace pages...and they don't understand what the problem is. These little 12 year old girls are perfect targets for the pervs out there - and they are out there. But don't punish MySpace - punish the pervs and then freakin' monitor what your kids are doing!! The whole parenting thing is totally falling by the wayside...

...

Here's the thing - aren't a lot of them "latch-key kids?" The parents are at work because they literally have no choice. So the computer becomes the "babysitter." Reminds me of "Lord of the Rings," for some silly, strange reason.... I bet a lot of the parents warn their kids - who, naturally, feel they're indestructable and that their parents know NOTHING.
Remember how little your parents knew when you were 12, and how ignorant they were about the world, and how paranoid they were about silly, stupid things?
This gets filed in the same place as "remember to wear your helmet when you're skateboarding" used to...

[Ghost_Tracker]

Originally Posted by paperflowers

MySpace has also gotten alot of bad press lately my bet is that is where she picked up on the "stranger danger" at my space.

Personally, I absolutely, totally, 100% agree with you -
I seriously doubt that this is a coincidence.
SOMEBODY woke up very suddenly and said "oh ****, we'd better address this, and sooner rather than later."

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by skcin

BUT I've also been propositioned by men despite the fact that Myspace profile states that I'm married, and I don't even have any sexpot whorey pics up.

Hey, how come I'm not getting propositioned on MySpace, damnit?

I did just have some guy ask to be my friend, but I've ignored him. Do you think he wants me?

MySpace is fun. I do see teenagers being totally stupid on MySpace- the reason I even GOT there was because of my 18 year old step-daughter. When she first showed me her site, I went ballistic- she had skimpy pictures of herself up and listed the TOWN and STATE she lived in! I had to explain to her that some 50 year old man could have been masturbating to her pictures- ew!

I love the surveys, and so does Deanna. As a matter of fact, she does them first and then I steal them.

[DrummerDeanna]

Originally Posted by Ghost_Tracker

Here's the thing - aren't a lot of them "latch-key kids?" The parents are at work because they literally have no choice. So the computer becomes the "babysitter." Reminds me of "Lord of the Rings," for some silly, strange reason.... I bet a lot of the parents warn their kids - who, naturally, feel they're indestructable and that their parents know NOTHING.
Remember how little your parents knew when you were 12, and how ignorant they were about the world, and how paranoid they were about silly, stupid things?
This gets filed in the same place as "remember to wear your helmet when you're skateboarding" used to...

I know there are a lot of latch key kids - BUT there are ways to keep them off of the Internet. My boss has a teenaged daughter who gets home before the parents. She is not allowed on the computer without parental supervision - so they've password protected the computer. Simple as that. And they have structure and discipline - she knows if she goes against the rules she will be punished.

In today's world parents have tvs, video games, phones and computers in their kids' rooms and think this is ok - this is NOT ok and statistics show that. My sister even did her own little impromptu study of her sixth graders - the ones who had all the above mentioned along with poor parental supervision do the worst in school. Whereas the few kids whose parents are involved and aren't allowed violent games, unlimited Internet and tv etc are doing wonderfully.

So - I still think it comes down on the parents. I was a latchkey kid - BUT I still had structure, and again knew that if I stepped out of line there'd be some hurtin'

Bottom line - I just don't think any kid under a certain age should have free and unlimited access to the Internet

[ThePenguin]

Originally Posted by Ghost_Tracker

I honestly feel that these responses are coming directly from Stevie. It's hard to figure out how to articulate why I feel they're so short but - -
I think she probably has reasons for it. I think she feels a little weird answering questions from someone she can't even see - she's an extroverted "people person" which makes her tend to be very friendly -
in person. (Under certain circumstances - I'm talking, "by nature" she TENDS to be that way.)
If you REALLY think about it - - - wouldn't a written question from a stranger, with a written response, in a strange environment (the Internet) maybe tend to have the exact OPPOSITE effect with her?
So in Stevie's mind, this isn't a "conversation" and she feels no desire to treat it as such. Questions are asked, she politely answers them - - -
"MOVIN' on!. . . ."

I think it's nice that she is making the effort to answer some questions, that alone is wonderful. However, as you said, her mistrust of the internet/computer etc of course colors how she relates in an on-line Q&A. And also, as you said, she is an extrovert, and probably feels more comfortable expressing herself in a 'person to person' forum. That's when you see the real stevie.

John, an introvert, is the opposite. maybe he flourishes behind that computer because IMO he feels 'safe'; he doesn't have the pressure/discomfort/shyness that might be present in 'face to face' type things.

Mick, IMO, would probably not do too well in an on-line Q&A... he'd be like Stevie in that his true self is more fully revealed if he is speaking to a real person. Plus just the typing alone w/ the dylexia etc, I think would be quite a challenge!

Chris has always done really well in 'real people' interview situations, but I also think that if she relaxed and had a secure on-line experience, that her personality might actually shine through too....

And Lindsey.....I don't know about that chap. I love him to pieces... But I don't think he ever really lets his guard down, he sort of hides behind big words and resorts to using the same lines he's always used. I don't think he'd be any different in an on-line setting. I don't think we'd get a feel for the 'real' Lindsey.

Interesting topic though, isn't it?!

-Lis, the Q&A ponderer

[diamondsnake]

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

Didn't you already say you don't even USE MySpace...that means you are in no position to judge it. Some great people are on there and not using it for moronic reasons.

I don't have an account, but I have perused the website several times. From the pages I have seen (the ones from kids that go to my school) it is pathetic. But then again, most of the kids that go to my school are pathetic.

My problem is with the people that post pictures of themselves half way naked, giving their most serious movie-star, bedroom-eyes pose. It is just plain sad. And, I think most people would agree.

But, those are just the ones that I have seen. I am sure some people's myspace accounts are not so self indulgent.

[Rickypt]

What bugs me is that 5 years ago I wrote a very intelligent question about Silver Springs in this "ask stevie" process and I've never received an answer. But she'll write to someone who can't even spell out the word "though" and puts "ttyl " in her question.

I guess I should have written:

"OMG, Stevie, thank u for answering this. Do U think U and LindZ will get 2gether again?"

[Hawkeye]

Well I agree that for the most part the questions she recieves are horrible, but in this batch she is asked a GREAT question about a future solo album or any of her future plans and the answer just was bad.

[amber]

Originally Posted by Rickypt

What bugs me is that 5 years ago I wrote a very intelligent question about Silver Springs in this "ask stevie" process and I've never received an answer. But she'll write to someone who can't even spell out the word "though" and puts "ttyl " in her question.

I guess I should have written:

"OMG, Stevie, thank u for answering this. Do U think U and LindZ will get 2gether again?"

This is probably the same issue I feel most passionate about.

[Boots]

I recently got into My Space, and find it to be a lot of fun; however, Stevie is correct - there is potential danger there - especially for naive people and young kids who can get drawn into some bad things. I select the people in my space very carefully. It's a great way to discover music, comedians and actors, writers, etc. If you abuse it, or accept anyone as "a friend" - especially if you're an adult and get under age people sending you messages, or if you're a child and weird adults are emailing you..RUN LIKE THE WIND!

Me - I've discovered some great bands, and have hooked up to comedian's sites so I know where and when they are performing. I also goof around with personal friends. When I get a skeevy message from some perve who wants to suck my toes....I tell him to get lost, and then I block him. You have to be very protective because there are people who are using My Space exclusively to find sex...not new bands and comedians. And yes, as per a message upthread - there are some really saaaad people on there. I also never post my own picture on there.

[ontheEdgeof17]

Originally Posted by diamondsnake

. From the pages I have seen (the ones from kids that go to my school) it is pathetic.

....as are your previous threads about Stevie's hair and menopause.