Reporting Misconduct on MySpace


If you're on someone's profile and see something that you consider to be inappropriate, you can report it to MySpace right from that page by clicking the Report Inappropriate Content link at the bottom of that page (Figure 6.1). The link takes you to a page where you can send an email to customer service.

Figure 6.1. To send a report to MySpace, click the Report Inappropriate Content link at the bottom of the person's profile. Click the Terms link to see what the site defines as inappropriate.


Key Parenting Point

Inappropriate content comprises anything that violates MySpace's terms of use, which are spelled out on the site's Terms page. (To access that page, click the Terms link located at the bottom of most pagessee Figure 6.1). This type of content includes nudity or postings that are "excessively violent, harassing, sexually explicit or otherwise objectionable."


In addition to inappropriate content on people's profiles, there are other forms of misconduct that you should consider reporting, such as spam, underage users, cyberbullying, copyright violation, or anything else that you feel violates MySpace terms.

You can report misconduct by using the Contact MySpace link at the bottom of every page.

Follow these steps:

1.

Click the Contact MySpace link (Figure 6.2).



Figure 6.2. Click Contact MySpace if you have a comment, question, or report to send the service.


The page that displays has two boxes at the top, one linking to the site's latest updates, and the other to the MySpace FAQ (Figure 6.3). MySpace really hopes you'll try to find what you're looking for before you send them email. You can look at the FAQ, but if you're writing about an abuse issue, it's not going to solve your problem.

Figure 6.3. You can send a report to MySpace using the Contact Request box.


2.

Click the arrow beside the Subject field. When the list of topics displays, you'll probably want to select Reporting Abuse (Figure 6.4). Then click the Please Select a Subtopic message that pops up and click Submit.

Figure 6.4. The pull-down menus require you to select a topic, and then a subtopic.


A Preliminary Response to Question screen displays links to answers to commonly asked questions.

3.

Assuming you still want to send the message, click No, Email Customer Service (Figure 6.5).

Figure 6.5. At last you can actually send your message.


4.

Finally, you get to a page where you can type your note. If you're logged into MySpace, your name and email address are probably already there. If not, type them in, type your message in the Message box and click Submit Question (Figure 6.6).

Figure 6.6. Type your message to MySpace Customer Care staff.


Key Parenting Point

If you are reporting what you believe to be a crime, or if there is any risk to life, property, or safety, contact your local police department as well. If it's a case of sexual exploitation of a child or suspected child pornography, contact the CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.com or call 800-843-5678.


Use Our BlogSafety Forum

We maintain an interactive forum at BlogSafety.com where you can ask questions and interact with others. Although the forum is not a hotline or a watchdog organization, in many cases, you can get answers very quickly from us, other experts, or other parentswho are often the best experts around! If you report a serious problem on the forum, we will do our best to bring it to the attention of MySpace officials or advise you as to what we think you should do (Figure 6.7).

Figure 6.7. Now, at BlogSafety.com, there's a place to talk about online-safety and parenting issues with experts and fellow parents.






MySpace Unraveled. A Parent's Guide to Teen Social Networking from the Directors of BlogSafety. com
MySpace Unraveled: A Parents Guide to Teen Social Networking
ISBN: 032148018X
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 91

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