My Space

[EllieG]

my neice is 12 years old, I have just come across her myspace page on which she states she is 18. She has quite a provocative picture and it has concerned me (not revealing - is just the pose) she has another page which she states she is 14, I cant view this one it says it is private. I wondered if she might have said she was 18 because you can only let the public see your picure if you are over 18? is this true? what do you think i should do....?

 

[Sephs]

Hi Ellie, I'm 16 and have been using social networking sites since being about 11.

I would be concerned, but the worst thing to do would be to go to her parents and tell them. I'd suggest speaking to her personally and just telling her about the dirty people that are often online.
I have a load of girl associates who have provocative pictures of themselves, I personally have never done it as I'd hate the thought of a stranger getting dirty kicks from my body.

Tell her to make her profiles private and not to add anybody she doesn't know. If she is careful enough she won't come into any trouble. If she disagrees and you check again and see her profile is public, maybe it's then time to speak to parents.

Hope I helped.

 

[EllieG]

That is helpful thank you - if you are under 18 does it automatically make your profile private?

 

[muppetmummy]

Given that she's 12 I would tell her mum. She needs to be protected because she's not old enough to protect herself and probably doesn't realise that she's putting herself at danger

 

[Jade&Evie]

Given that she's 12 I would tell her mum. .

me too

 

[mum2A&L]

Given that she's 12 I would tell her mum. .

me too

same here.

you could contact myspace to tell them they have someone claiming to be older than they are using their site. They should suspend their account if you are that worried

I have done this for girls that where bullying someone i know on a different social networking site. They where young (13-14) and claiming they where older. I did this as i didn't know their parents, but i was more worried about stopping the bullying, than them claiming they where older than what they where.

 

[Sephs]

I think if you are under 18 you can set it so that your profile is visible to other under 18's. If you are over 18 your profile will be set to visible unless you change it to private.

(Or at least it was when I checked last).

Just to add, the only reason I suggested speaking to her personally was because I'd feel betrayed if my Auntie went behind my back, I wouldn't tell her anything anymore. I do understand that there is a big safety issue here and she is obviously still only very young.
Another thing is, do her parents know she is social networking? A lot of parents don't have a clue their kids are on these sort of sites. If you have an account, maybe message her or give her a ring?