Quote From: rissa140As someone who has a Myspace profile, I just have to say that its not the site's fault for what people CHOOSE to do on there. And like the other poster, I'm sick of people blaming things on the site in general. Are there lots of creeps on there like any other site? Absolutely! BUT, there are also a lot of good, honest people on there who are looking for new friends, to reconnect with old friends, stay in contact with family members, find love (which is not wrong to do), even networking for jobs. Musicians, film makers & comedians use it to promote their work & gain audiences. I myself, have met some very nice people from that site, on & off it. With that said, I dont think Myspace is a place for someone under 16. I hate to say it but, I even have cousins on there who are younger than that & I wonder what the hell they're doing on there & its sad to say that some of their parents aren't watching what they're doing, so I like to check up on them. Anyway, most people/parents don't know that Myspace has a number of ways that you can be safer on there.
*YOU control WHAT info is on your profile
*YOU control WHO can look at your profile & pictures, by making it PRIVATE
*YOU control WHO can add you as a friend
*YOU control WHAT comments you want to accept
*IF someone starts harassing you, YOU can REPORT & BLOCK them
There may be more that isnt coming to mind... but the thing is that, some people choose not to use those features & then IF, GOD FORBID, something bad happens, they're quick to blame someone else or blame the site without looking at their part in it or what they could've done to be safer. This isn't the case for EVERYONE, but certainly enough people. People need to start being responsible for THEIR OWN actions.
Also, I'm tired of people saying/implying that the Internet is the only place where you can come into contact with creeps, especially creeps who pretend to be honest people. I hear people saying all the time that the net isnt the way to meet someone, specifically someone honest & decent because anyone can be charming on the net. And yes, anyone can be charming on the net, however, you can meet someone who pretends to be charming & decent anywhere... on the street, in the grocery store, working for charity, there are even some cases where others meet those kinds of people in CHURCH (no offense to anyone, just saying). And by the age of 16, you should very well know what's right, wrong, appropriate & inappropriate.
I agree that it's not the site's fault. But parents to need to know what their kids are doing on line. And it the word of Dr. Phil "parents need to do whatever it takes" to keep their kids from making wrong choices, or getting involved in the wrong things. I too have a myspace account, which I got when my daughter, then 16 was hanging around with some kids I didn't like. I did this to keep an eye on her and her "friends". I made it clear to her that I kept an eye on them. And when I saw things I didn't approve of I confronted her. Luckily over time she saw the light and no longer associates with those people. But I agree that it was my responsibility, as a parent, to know what was going on and do "whateve it took" to raise my daughter right.
That said, I feel for Shawn. She must be going through hell. And I hate the magic age of 18. In the eyes of the law Katherine is an adult, but just because someone turns 18 doesn't mean they are instantly wise enough to see the writing on the wall in these situataions. Katherine is 100% in danger and needs to be gotten out of there no matter what it takes.
(Original Air Date: 11/15/07) Dr. Phil continues the story of a young woman who made international headlines when she ran away to Palestine to be with a man she met on the Internet when she was just 16. Katherine was stopped by the FBI and brought back home, but two years later and now an adult, she’s left the United States again to be with Abdullah, the man she says she loves and wants to marry. Katherine’s terrified family thinks she is being brainwashed, and may never be allowed to return home. They say they’ve witnessed Abdullah’s violent temper when he’s verbally abused her over the phone. Now, in an exclusive interview via satellite, Dr. Phil speaks with Katherine and Abdullah together. Is Abdullah lying about letting Katherine return home? Is this couple already married? Talk about the show here.
