Teens Actually Do Protect Their Online Profiles

Thib writes "A study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project reveals that the majority of teens pay attention to what they are revealing about themselves in their online social profiles. For instance, while many routinely use their first name or include a picture, 'fewer than a third of teens with profiles use their last names, and a similar number include their e-mail addresses. Only 2 percent list their cell phone numbers.' The study comes to light just as state legislatures once again begin to mutter about the dangers of online predators. From the article: 'According to Pew, 45 percent of online teens do not have profiles at all, a figure that contradicts widespread perceptions that the nation's youths are continually on MySpace.'"

Widespread perceptions?

[j00r0m4nc3r]

widespread perceptions that the nation's youths are continually on MySpace

What widespread group of people actually thinks this? I would love to see them back this up with valid statistical data. I think maybe it's "widespread perceptions [amongst the 4 computer-ignorant soccer moms at our office] that the nation's..."

Why Myspace is better than high school

[Animats]

It can't be worse than high school. You have to go. You don't get paid. You don't get to pick whom you're with. You're not anonymous. The place is regimented, cliquish, and crowded. Being popular is hard work, and being unpopular is a pain.

Myspace is a relief from all that. The worst day on Myspace is better than a moderately bad day of high school. On Myspace people can annoy you, but you can block them. Unlike real life.

Wish I could mod you +1 funny

[Jarjarthejedi]

Haha! Didn't even notice that, there's a slight chance CNN used a fake name but if they didn't that's a laugh worthy sentence right there. Perhaps we should be more worried about people giving their name to CNN?

Nice catch, worth a good laugh.

Re:Fewer than a third

[bhiestand]

'fewer than a third of teens with profiles use their last names,

And fewer than a third of teens with profiles are actually teens. :)

And fewer than a third of non-teens with profiles that say they're teens are actually interested in interacting with teens. Most of them are just police and FBI agents trying to catch other adults doing the same thing.

I found this out the hard way when I was trying to pick up another girl my age in a chat room many years ago. Now how do you handle a situation where an >18 law enforcement officer is attempting to arrange a meeting with an 16 child because he believes the child is really another adult looking for children?