New Zealand not immune
Girls put at risk on net:
Another article that shows that social networking and the problems that come with it is not just an American problem…
A Press investigation has revealed teenage schoolgirls are posing in cyberspace using log-on names such as dirtykitty and candyeyes in forums that can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection.
Many of the girls display their full names, ages, schools and cellphone numbers, as well as pictures, on social networking sites that are now under scrutiny.
Internet watchdogs warn that young people are unwittingly putting themselves at risk.
Among the user names given by young Christchurch teens are xoxoxo, candyeyes, dirtykitty and sexyrebecca. The Press was able to contact many of the schoolgirls through details provided on the internet.
Robert Minahan, of Netsafe, said he had noticed a recent rise in popularity of social networking sites.
“People are divulging too much personal information online. For example, people are giving their names and cellphone numbers and posting images,” he said.
“We have noticed since late February a rise in popularity of Bebo.com in New Zealand with our teens. Social networking sites are a relatively new phenomenon to New Zealand and we are saying students are putting themselves at risk.”
Teenagers did not seem to comprehend that once they had sent an image on the internet, they would lose control of that image, Minahan said.
“You can’t bring it back, and those images could be used in some ways we don’t want them used,” he said.
“On the Bebo site, there are images that place kids at considerable risk from people who wish to harm them.”
Another risk from using sites such as Bebo or MySpace included harassment, Minahan said.
The Press yesterday contacted several girls who had provided personal details to Bebo. com.
The mother of a 14-year-old Villa Maria College student featured on the web was shocked to learn of her daughter’s provocative internet name and that personal details, including her full name, school and photo, were posted on the site.
“I had seen the site, but I didn’t realise (the full content). Now that you have called up and highlighted that … you could be someone unsavoury. I am going to review (her internet use). You have got me thinking,” she said.
The family had discussed internet safety, which would be reviewed, she said.
A 15-year-old Avonside Girls’ High School student, whose full name, cellphone number and picture are displayed on the Bebo website, said “everyone” on Bebo provided personal details so she felt comfortable posting her personal information.
“It’s just like finding people to talk to and friends and things, and to meet new people. Pretty much my whole class is on Bebo, and people you know from when you are younger,” she said.
The student had not had many “randoms” contact her.
“I’ve never had anything like stalkers or anything like that. If I did, I would just ignore it and get their number blocked,” she said.
“Most people who contact me are just people I know already.”
Stop Demand Foundation spokeswoman Denise Ritchie said young people posing provocatively and providing personal details needed their naivety challenged.
“Who is their target market? Young people need to be told the facts,” she said.
“Young girls need to ask themselves, `Is that how I want my image to be used?”‘
Last month, two men in less than a week were convicted of cyber-crimes against young girls.
Invercargill man Dale Gregory Barnett, 44, is awaiting sentence after being convicted of trying to lure children from Christchurch and Dunedin for commercial sex.
In another case, an Upper Hutt married man with children was convicted of sex crimes against a 14-year-old girl. His offending spanned six months after he lured the girl to meet him through the internet.
Recent Comments