My_____ Evolution

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SYLVIA WINSTON
Features Editor

Social networking websites are virtual communities that encourage and foster interactions among members of a group by allowing them to post personal information. Unfortunately, the ability to create a whole new persona is impacting teens’ ability to socially interact in the real world. After Myspace’s launch in January 2004, it attracted more than 115 million visitors globally. Founders Tom Anderson and Josh Berman had little to no knowledge of how their innovation would change the world.

Over the past nine years of service, Myspace has minted Internet celebrities and reconnected people around the globe. However these functions pose as a double-edged sword in multiple ways. As a result, the risk of having an account increases dramatically. For instance, many refer back to the Meier incident back in 2006 where 13-year-old Megan Meier committed suicide after being bullied on Myspace.

Although the adrenaline of sharing everything online thrills many, there are risks that as users one must take. Myspace is just one of the many social networking sites that require precaution.