Myspace is a social- networking site with lots of positive and negative effects on the way people communicate.  It was created in 2003 and in June 2006 it was the most popular social-networking site in the U.S.  The headquarters are in Beverly Hills and Myspace’s popularity continues to thrive. Musicians, clothing companies, businesses and individuals all use Myspace as a way to view pictures, read and post blogs, network with each other and so much more. There are many legal, personal, and privacy issues involved with Myspace branching from stalkers to catty gossip between friends.  Although many controversies have evolved from Myspace profiles, the service is reshaping the way people market and promote their businesses and projects.  According to the New York Times, “Myspace’s initial popularity came not from word-of-mouth as it is often assumed, but from an intense email campaign.” Thousands of emails were sent out after the creation of the site in order to gain users. The New York Times also touches base on the idea that “Myspace is more of a marketing tool than a social-networking site.”

            I have discovered most of the music I listen to by searching and viewing band’s profiles on Myspace. Also I have found communities where I have met people with similar interests to myself. Myspace is the original online communication tool for people to get in touch with friends while looking at cool pictures, graphics, videos, and listen to good tunes all at once.  There are clubs and events that I would have never known existed if not for Myspace.

            Although Myspace has lots of benefits to improve the quality of life, there are still lots of negative issues surrounding the site. MSNBC has reported, “Social-networking sites like Myspace are turning out to be hotbeds for spyware.”   Phishing is also related to the privacy of people’s accounts too. It’s when hackers steal passwords and information from users by tricking them into giving personal information out. A lot of schools have also banned sites like Myspace and Facebook for security reasons. Many cases of stalking and sexual predators have been reported from unsecured profiles of people.

            For this reason I chose to create a blank account strictly for the purpose of looking at pictures and profiles and not so much the display of my own life and interests.  It freaks me out having all internet friends that I have never met. I believe in real-life pals because physical connection I feel is much more genuine. The flakey people who lie about their age and where they are from are creepy too. You can’t trust anyone these days and the internet can be a scary place because of the lack of security on websites.

            Myspace has changed the music industry as well as the way people contact each other. New sites are being created all the time that are based off of this idea of friend adding and networking. Myspace will continue to change communication for society as well as be a great source of entertainment.