Internet-safety advocates are welcoming news that social-networking giant MySpace is working on software that will allow parents to track their kids’ accounts.
Millions of young people have set up pages on MySpace, which has, unfortunately, made it a favorite hangout of sexual predators.
The new program, called ParentCare, is expected to be released in the fall. It will help parents find and monitor their child's MySpace page. MySpace hasn't announced it yet, but Donna Rice Hughes of Enough is Enough was asked to help with the beta testing.
“Many parents simply are ill-equipped," she added, "and often don’t realize that the types of measures that they need to take to make sure that the kids are safe.”
David Miller, vice president of public policy at Citizens for Community Values, said parents need to be proactive.
“Predators are out there looking for children that are unguarded," he told Family News in Focus. "They’re looking for families that are not protecting their kids when they get on the Web and not monitoring and being aware.”
He said he's glad to see MySpace stop waffling between teens' privacy and safety.
"They are coming forward to try to be a good partner with parents and with law enforcement, with our society and with the world.”
