Girl Sues MySpace.com For Being Sexually Assaulted (lt)

[Angantyr]

^ That is completely true, I am 20 which is um normal I guess but I when I talk to somebody in private they constantly say I am real mature for my age, then you met others who are like 40 and they act like kids

Also a lot of people take after their parents in personality, I myself am nothing like my parents but I see it all to often. And when the parents are too stupid to control their kids, their kids end up being just the same ie following in their footsteps of ignorance

[Yuki-onna]

Still, if there was any honor involved, they'd be going after the alleged assaulter, now wouldn't they? This girl could have met some ****ing pervert anywhere.

And someone should have taught her not to talk to strangers or at least, not meet up with people from the...

Oh I'm a hypocrite
.
She could have at least brought some pepperspray or met in a populated place, like...like an airport...

[halenite]

agreed. She had bad judgement.

I think we're all agreed that she should not be suing myspace but rather the jerk who molested her.

I also do agree that there is a chance that parental manipulation is afoot.

I never disagreed with any of these. I simply continue to disagree with those of you who say she deserved to get molested for her judgement.

I'll admit, I'm letting my bias with my personal history affect how I think.

[Secret Azn Man]

It is understandable considering what happened to you, Halenite. Many of us were fortunate of never being sexually assaulted, so we do not truly know what it's like and thus makes it easy to say one deserves it.

As for the girl's maturity, yeah it is pretty much expected for kids nowadays to lack common sense. But, whatever happened to instilling common sense into your kid? When I was as young as 8, I was drilled of, "Never talk to strangers." and the like. Remember McGruff, the crime dog mascot that taught little kids how to avoid sexual predators, strangers calling or knocking on your door, and how to deal with bullies? Those were targeted to 10 years old kids and younger. So, why should a 14 years old be expected to lack the basic common sense we were taught at 8 or 10?

[halenite]

yeah, I definately agree with that. The loss of those kinds of programs is perhaps one of the worst things that could've happened. These kinds of programs (like McGruff) should've been kept.

[Tiffany]

Originally Posted by halenite

I'll admit, I'm letting my bias with my personal history affect how I think.

Yeah I can agree with you on that one. I'm in the same boat, I was sexually assaulted by a guy when I was (coincedently) 15 or so, and it was one of THE most awful experiences of my life. Granted, I didn't meet the guy off the internet (didn't really have the internet accessable to everyone when I was that age) nor did I try and sue the guy who's house we were at.

I mean, it happens to people every day, regardless of their maturity levels or age. Countless people are assaulted because they chose to take what the person was saying as truth. Or giving them the benefit of the doubt. You can't say that it doesn't happen.

Also, most people 16 years of age and younger are pretty gullible. Of course, not ALL, but a big majority are. If I was a guy, and told a 16 year old (or any year old girl for that matter) "hey, I want to take you out for pizza and maybe go for a walk afterwards" don't you think most people will accept that? People don't walk around with "Hey I sexually assault/rape people" signs attached to them.

That's what bugs me when I see people saying that she deserved it. To me, that's like saying that I deserved what happened to me. Or you, Halenite. It's nice to see that at least someone around here understands how ****ing shitty it is to be assaulted by someone.

But as for the sueing part? That's gaytarded. Seriously. Go after the useless **** who assaulted her. Don't blame Myspace for getting yourself into a bad situation.

Edit:

I forgot to say thanks to Secret Azn Man for having some empathy on the whole subject. You rock.

[Bunny]

We had a topic similiar to this one a few months ago, I believe. In it I stated that nobody deserves to get raped or sexually assaulted in any way. It was already said here, so I won't repeat the statement. I agree with it though.

I am going to start by saying where I place the blame: All three, at varying degrees.

There are no "innocent" parties in this argument.

The girl is at fault because she lacks the common sense that she should have. I understand and I am sympathetic of her age, I do not expect her to have a whole ton of common sense, discipline or knowledge about a lot of subjects. However, regardless of her age, she should have known that something bad could have happened. She is fourteen years old. That is fourteen years of living in a world where murder, rape, and scandals are rampent. I do not care whether or not she reads the newspaper every single day, she would have heard of at least some of the past MySpace cases and figured that the same thing could possibly happen to her.

The parents of this girl are the biggest at fault. They should have instilled some sort of knowledge in their daughter so as such a thing did not occur. They should have monitored, even a little bit, where their daughter goes on the internet. They don't even have to watch over her shoulder. It is called a history file, favorites file, etc. Even if you are a completely computer illiterate person, you can still find out simply things such as these.

MySpace is also at fault, although not as much as the other two parties. I do not expect them to monitor and check every single profile to make sure for complete accuracy over who is using the website. But they should instill certain rules BEFORE an incident such as this occurs. They should have been more responsible in letting people know the dangers of the internet. Granted, they cannot be held responsible for each individual problem that comes up with their website, but they could have used cautionary measures to ensure that people are aware of the dangers.

As for personal experience, I cannot say. I was never monitored on the internet. I was pretty much left to free roam wherever I wanted to do. My family gave me almost complete freedom in whatever I wanted to do, they didn't even tell me that certain stuff may happen to me in this case or that. Regardless of that, I was still responsible with myself. I protected myself as much as I thought was necessary. This is specific to me, however, and I do not expect everyone to have the same amount of maturity, common sense, and self-awareness as myself or anyone else like me.

Honestly, I tried to think of a better way to explain everything, but I just couldn't. I hope that it was clear enough so as not too many people were confused. Basically, all I am saying is that it wasn't one or the others fault, but a collaboration of all three. I am also disgusted that it happened, but that is a personal thing. Ugh.

[Secret Azn Man]

I was also never monitored when I went online. Hell, I had the computer in my room. But here's the thing, I didn't have to be monitored. I had zero intention of meeting people I do not know. I rarely even gave out my first name, let alone my address and phone number. Why? Because as I said before, these common sense and guidelines were drilled into me. Plus, I was raised to be paranoid.

When I did want to meet my online friends, I'd tell my aunt, whom was my guardian. One time, during a trip to California, I wanted to meet some friends there. Had my family took me to their house, met the other family, and they left once they are comfortable enough to leave me there.

Even as an adult, I still never visit online friends for the first time alone. I bring my brother or other friends with me. It's just common sense.

[halenite]

Originally Posted by Bunny

MySpace is also at fault, although not as much as the other two parties. I do not expect them to monitor and check every single profile to make sure for complete accuracy over who is using the website. But they should instill certain rules BEFORE an incident such as this occurs. They should have been more responsible in letting people know the dangers of the internet. Granted, they cannot be held responsible for each individual problem that comes up with their website, but they could have used cautionary measures to ensure that people are aware of the dangers.

I disagree. It is not up to a single website to explain the dangers of the internet. I can't remember if this was said before, but this is common sense. Even if Myspace did explain, for the most part, people probably aren't going to listen to it. Especially the main number of the members (teenagers). Same things with the precautionary measures you mentioned, it doesn't matter if they have it up or not. It can easily be gotten around.

[Rinoa.Heartilly]

Stupidity at its finest. Has people like that seen all the talk shows and stuff? Its stupid to meet people over the internet, especially if you are a teenager. I speak for the population of teenagers on myspace. I'm one of them! I'm 15, almost 16 and I fully understand the dangers of meeting people over the internet. Like I said, you have to be totally illiterate to not know there isn't risk involved, which no one on myspace can be because they figured out how to use the computer! Chances are if they own a computer they probubly own a TV or a radio and both forms of media have expressed how dangerous it is to meet people via internet. Teenagers aren't stupid. Stupid people are stupid. Teens know the risks, they just take them anyway.

I mean there is no way a case like that could even hold up in court! The girl would have to prove that her and the person who assaulted her met through myspace and they can't. They could have met in a chat room and given their myspaces to each other, in which case it would be open and close. Two last time I checked myspace is a place to talk to people through the internet, not meet people through the internet. It isn't eHarmony. But you know how the lady who spilt the McDonald's coffee on her lap...she won and McDonalds only has control over the substance in the cup, not the person. So basically there is a chance this might make it through the slightly flawed judicial system of the United States and the woman could win.

I so sick of people sueing everybody for their own mishaps. Its pretty popular in the US, I see it on the news all of the time. One wonders if anyone tries to stop these stupid cases from happening. *sigh*

[Edward Elric]

The thing is, with the way the courts work in America, they can't use common sense. If they did, they would not be viewing it "fairly" because their mind wouldn't be "open to all solutions". The only reason cases such as the McDonalds case was won is because they pinned the company down with a technicality, saying that because there wasn't anything there warning them, and they couldn't be prepared for it.

Still, MySpace doesn't have a place in this. They do what they can to keep such things from happening, but people still lie about their age so they're page isn't private. When you can't talk directly to your clients, then you can't make sure they're really who they are.

In fact, I just went to look at the sign up page and they posted this:

Originally Posted by MySpace

Please read these safety tips before posting any photos or personal info.
MySpace is a public space. Don't post anything you wouldn't want the world to know (e.g. your phone number, address, instant messenger screen name, or specific whereabouts). Don’t post any nudity, violent, or offensive material, or copyrighted images. If you violate these terms, your account will be deleted. [photo policy]
People aren’t always who they say they are. Exercise caution when communicating with strangers and avoid meeting people in person whom you do not fully know. If you must meet someone, do it in a public place and bring a friend or trusted adult.
Harassment, hate speech, and inappropriate content should be reported. If you feel someone’s behavior is inappropriate, react. Talk with a trusted adult, or report it to MySpace or the authorities.

And I really don't think they just put that up there either. These problems have been around for who knows how long, and they covered their bases with this. If they actually are sued, I hate to see what this world is coming to.

all dumb people feel the need to blame someone for their stupidity. Everyone should know how to practice safety on a computer. Even if her parents never told her, She needs to start watching the news. They have stories like this all the time because people are idiots. Maybe she should have been more concerned about who she was talking to, instead if acting like a slut. Who would give out their information to a complete stranger? I hope she learned her lesson from being that dumb. Honestly I think she needs to stay off the internet an pick up a book.

[Rinoa.Heartilly]

Originally Posted by Edward Elric

Still, MySpace doesn't have a place in this. They do what they can to keep such things from happening, but people still lie about their age so they're page isn't private. When you can't talk directly to your clients, then you can make sure they're really who they are.

How could they check and make sure people are really who they are? They can't! You can't go to peoples house and make sure they are browsing a myspace under their name. We have the right to privacy. There is absolutly nothing Myspace can do about lying about your identity. They aren't mind readers. They don't know if someone is truthful. Bottomline is that people do lie about their age, location and everything on the internet. Lots of people do it for safety reasons, lots of people don't. nothing you can do about that.

[Edward Elric]

I'm sorry, that was a typo. I meant to say they can't know who it is their dealing with.