Name, religion, ethnicity, body types — just a few of the many blank spaces students fill out to reveal their personal information to the public. Millions of Myspace users, along with many users of other Internet forums, display their personal information for the world to see.
What is the reason for this?


Are people desperate to find partners or friends with the same interests?
Why not just become socially active and meet people in person?
According to The Daily Record, Rev. Kieran McHugh of New Jersey’s Pope John XXIII Regional High School at Sparta announced the ban on student blogs, including personal pages on MySpace, in a school assembly. McHugh said he implemented the strict ban in an effort to protect his students from sexual predators who apparently browse the Internet attempting to lure naďve Catholic students into various sins.
This is the correct approach to take. No one can trust anyone in the real world, especially not on the Internet.
Displaying personal information on the Internet is very dangerous because people might discover your name and address, making it easier to track you down. If that is not enough, posting a picture on various websites can make stalkers’ jobs easier to find the person they are looking for.
However, one cannot be expected to believe in everything one sees online.
Yet, some do. Often times, this leads to a “rendezvous.”
When people meet their long awaited friend online for the first time, they expect a handsome and intelligent person.
In some cases, this is true.
In others, the meeting results in rape, kidnapping and abuse.
“It’s not safe [because] people could track you down,” said Henry Harukyan (’07). “Things like date of birth, and age might be dangerous, but I still have it on [Myspace].”
On the other hand, Claire Hawley (’06), a current MySpace user, claims she signed up because her friends did and that it is a good way to keep in touch with her friends.
“You only put the personal information people want to know,” said Hawley. “You don’t put information that is personal, or information that you think is personal.”
But where do we draw the line for what is too personal?
Informing people of your body type or eye color can be just as personal as telling someone about your personal problems at home with your parents.
“I use Myspace only for friends — not to meet anyone,” said Ariga Garagousian (’07). “You [should] always make sure not to write anything too personal. It’s just for fun, but [it] depends on how you use it.”
However, there have to be limits to what one displays online. Most people are not aware of those limits, and that is what leads to danger.

by staff writer: Zohrab Yaralian