Spend some time on www.facebook.com and www.ning.com. If you do not already have a facebook account, I encourage you to sign up for the purposes of this assignement. Search for people or topics you may be interested in (if you do not have a Facebook account, follow the "find friends" link at the lower right hand corner of the Facebook homepage and you will be able to view limited profiles). What are the benefits of these social networks? What are the risks? If you have a Facebook or Ning account, consider what information you've made available about yourself. For what purposes do you use the social networking service? Did you utilize any of the security features provided by the website? If you do not feel comfortable creating an account, what are the reasons underlying your decision? Browse through the terms of service of Ning at http://about.ning.com/tos.php, and at Facebook by clicking on the Ïterms of useÓ link to the lower right of the sign-up button at www.facebook.com.
Two main issues that arise with regards to children and social networking websites are the risk of falling victim to sexual predators and cyber-bullies. With regards to on-line harassment, read Draker v. Schreiber, 2008 WL 3457023 and http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-06-16-myspace-suicide-case_N.htm. Also consider M.C.L.A. þ 750.411s. Next, consider the risk of sexual predators and read Doe v. MySpace, Inc., 474 F.Supp.2d 843 and http://writ.news.findlaw.com/ramasastry/20060626.html.
Now, read the proposed ÏDeleting Online Predators ActÓ (DOPA) at http://thomas.loc.gov/home/gpoxmlc110/h1120_ih.xml, and browse the Congressional testimony regarding its predecessor version at http://energycommerce.house.gov/reparchives/108/Hearings/07112006hearing1974/hearing.htm. The PDF to the testimony is located at the bottom of the page. Be forewarned that some of the testimony of law enforcement officials is fairly disturbing. Pay particular attention to the testimony of the Facebook representative.
Is the DOPA the best way to address the issues that arise from social networking websites? Does it go too far, or not far enough? Will it address all the issues, or even the most important ones? Will there be any negative consequences to this legislation? Finally, check out the FTC safety guidelines for social networking sites: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/tech/tec14.shtm.