What do Sex Offenders and Social Networking Have in Common?

Sex offenders and social networking are the subject of new proposed bill that would "mandate that registered sex offenders' e-mail addresses and screen names be reported to social networking sites like MySpace.com." In essence, this would discourage sex offenders from using these sites. Of course, this is assuming that they provide the correct information.

For more details about this bill, go to Bill eyes sex offenders, social networking sites. My belief is that this is a good idea because we already monitor these offenders in the offline world. Why should they be able to hide in the online world?

Monitoring social networking activity can be a touchy subject for some people. However, with the right issue, I believe that it should be done.

What do you think?

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Comments

[Mike Maddaloni - The Hot Iron]

It's one thing to monitor social networking sites, it's another to verify that the person is who they say they are. I see this as the challenge and larger issue, as privacy and the need to identify one's self every time they go to any Web site may becoming a larger issue.

mp/m

[Jason Jacobsohn]

Interesting perspective Mike. I agree with you that this will be a larger issue.

[Tim Courtney]

I think this move is a good thing, but how effective will it be? In the end it may only be a hollow exercise that shows good intent.

With how easy it is to gain internet access over public wifi and public Internet terminals, and how easy it is to get a new email address, how can we prove people are who they say they are?

I'm a big fan of owning your identity on the Internet. I can't remember the last time I posted something anonymously -- if I have something to say that I don't want to be held responsible for saying, I don't say it. Last year I wrote my thoughts on anonymity on the Internet here:

http://www.timcourtney.net/2007/07/28/why-anonymity-on-the-internet-is-bad/

Thought I was thinking of this in terms of social networks and online discussion forums, the same concept could be applied here. Except here the stakes are much higher as sex offenders are known to use these networks to target victims.

[Jason Jacobsohn]

Thanks Tim for sharing your views and for sharing one of your posts. I like your thoughts on owning your identity on the Internet. I agree with this because you need to brand yourself and become an online personality. There really is no reason to mask yourself unless you have something to hide.