Banning MySpace.com on the Federal Level

www.9wsyr.com ^ | 5/12/06 | ALPHA-8-25-02

[alpha-8-25-02]

Concerns about MySpace.com are now spreading around Capitol Hill. There's a new bill being discussed that would put the site on a banned list, making it illegal for anyone inside a school or library to access the site.

Any site that allows users to create a profile and talk with other people with profiles would be put on the forbidden list.

The West Genesee School district already filters out MySpace.com students. They agree it's an acceptable idea, but for different reasons that the adults.

If the government puts MySpace.com on the do-not-use-in-school list, kids we spoke with say it would make sense, because they know you probably shouldn't be messaging friends or updating your profile during class time.

Carly DiCocco\8th grader: It's good because it really isn't for school, it's your personal life.

Zack Vohs\8th Grader: I think it's a good idea because you can just do it at home at no do it at school.

The idea isn't to keep kids focused, rather to try to block online predators from talking to students while in school.

[alpha-8-25-02]

FIRST-ANY LIMITATION OF PREDATORS BEING ABLE TO CONTACT CHILDREN IS GOOD. SECOND IT IS TYPICAL LEGISLATIVE GRANDSTANDING TO ONLY PUT A BAND-AID ON A OPEN WOUND.

GODSPEED.

[kinoxi]

i tend to lean more libertarian in many ways but myspace is crap.

[Huck]

The West Genesee School district already filters out MySpace.com students.

So what the hell is the point of the idiot feds getting involved? Oh yeah, grandstanding. I would be fine with any school district forbidding myspace use at school. it's got nothing to do with school. but this is not a federal issue.

[jjw]

Let's pass a federal law to make it illegal to provide web sites that allow people to communicate with each other via schools and libraries.

[KarlInOhio]

Let's see, we are fighting WW III against Islamic radicals, having an invasion on our southern border and suffering the worst energy situation in over 30 years but Congress is worried about what kids post and view on the internet and whether every school in the country should block one website. Way to keep your eyes on the ball Congress.

[KoRn]

I'm sure there would be First Amendment issues with what you are asking for. I personally don't like myspace, but I think they have a right to be up like any other website.

[laotzu]

Any site that allows users to create a profile and talk with other people with profiles...

FreeRepublic?

[KoRn]

"FreeRepublic?"

DOH!

[twigs]

I don't like myspace either, but if we start putting sites on banned lsits, where does it stop? If kids can't use myspace, they will find something else. At some point, do we forbid the right to fraternize?

[Jedidah]

Won't wash. This is a free speech issue.

[FearlessFreep]

I think it should be left up to the school or libraries. They can limit access from their servers.

[FearlessFreep]

I think it should be left up to the school or libraries. They can limit access from their servers.

[Hegemony Cricket]

Yep, that's us alright. This is a sword that cuts both ways...

[smith288]

i tend to lean more libertarian in many ways but myspace is crap.

I would love to see the MySpace code. I bet you the profile pages are a lesson of putridness beyond anything I ever wrote.

[Mygirlsmom]

Won't wash. This is a free speech issue.

And how has that stopped them in the past? This is basically "McCain/Feingold For the Children"!!

[mware]

I agree Huck. The district can filter out any number of types of internet sites. I know my own school filters out advocacy group and web hosting.

Seems to me this could be handled on a local instead of federal level.

[smith288]

I don't like myspace either, but if we start putting sites on banned lsits, where does it stop? If kids can't use myspace, they will find something else. At some point, do we forbid the right to fraternize?

There is about 10 copy cat sites that are mirror copies of MySpace. People will just gravitate to another one. Politicians slamming MySpace is just the fashionable thing to do to make it sound like they are doing something.

[borisbob69]

You are correct, but as I recall Campaign Finance Reform was also a free speech issue and we saw what happened with that!

[scooter2]

And just what in the Constitution would allow this?

[BlackRazor]

I would be fine with any school district forbidding myspace use at school. it's got nothing to do with school. but this is not a federal issue.

Completely agree. The more troubling aspect for me was the notion of banning it in libraries. Schools, OK, I can see the reasoning behind that. But public libraries? That's really overreaching, IMO.