The document discusses the popularity and risks of online social networks like MySpace among middle school students. It notes that MySpace has over 67 million members and is growing rapidly in popularity among teens as a private online space. However, it also presents potential risks like unsafe disclosure of personal information, addiction, risky behavior, cyberbullying, and interaction with dangerous individuals. The document provides a hypothetical example of a fake MySpace profile created by a sex offender to target teens, illustrating the need for educators to make students aware of online safety issues.

1. Online Social Networks MySpace @ My Middle School By Brad Fuhrer EDTL 630

2. “ Each generation carves out private modes of expression that they obscure from adults.” -Kathleen Turner

3. What are your student posting online about you?

6. A Teen’s Conception of “Private” Space

11. Danny @ MySpace A Sample Profile http://www.myspace.com/phuckuuphuckingphuck Source: Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

12. Here’s Danny’s profile…he likes poetry, plants, flowers and watching movies by the fire.

13. Danny loves his country and is here for dating, serious relationships, friends and networking. So far he has 14 friends listed

14. Danny has posted some pics of his tatoo’s. Says here that he is looking for a girlfriend!

15. Let’s look at another web site how about … www.azsexoffender.org State of Arizona, government-operated sex offender registration site.

16. Hey! There’s Danny. Surprise! His MySpace page never mentioned that he is a level 3, high-risk sex offender.