Making MySpace safer.

Lawmakers in several states are exploring ways to make social networking sites-like MySpace, Friendster, Xanga and others--safer for kids. On these sites, young people and others can create their own online profiles with pictures, personal information, diary entries, and lists of online friends. Sometimes the profiles and personal information provided have made it too easy for sexual predators to contact kids. In Connecticut last year, six alleged sexual assaults involving older men and underage girls were tied to MySpace, along with dozens of similar arrests nationwide.

Bills being considered in Connecticut, Georgia and North Carolina this year would require social networking sites to get a parent's written permission before allowing kids to create a web page or profile. Connecticut's bill also would require verifying the ages of its users. "Most of these websites make only minimal efforts to ensure users are who they say they are," says Representative Leonard Greene, one of the bill's sponsors. "Our bill will require them to take reasonable precautions to protect children against sexual predators and other undesirables without infringing on anyone's constitutional rights."

In Illinois, Senator Matt Murphy proposed legislation requiring publicly funded schools and libraries to block computer access to social networking sites. Discussing his reasons for filing the bill in a live online chat on his blog, Murphy said, "First, I want to raise awareness of the threat predators on these sites pose to our kids. And second, I want a dialogue on how we can minimize this threat."

Legislation in other states is aimed at sexual predators and keeping them away from these sites. An Arizona bill would require sex offenders to disclose and register their e-mail addresses, Internet screen names and any IDs they use online. The information would be included in a Department of Public Safety database, and social networking sites could be required to check the list against their users and notify the Department of Public Safety if a registered sex offender is using their system.

These bills have their critics and aren't seen as a complete solution for keeping kids safe. There are difficulties with verifying ages and in accurately defining social networking sites. Kids can find ways around restrictions on computer access. And sex offenders can still create and use false online names and profiles.