Although anyone cruising the world wide web is welcome to browse profiles created by users of myspace, only invited Friends can look at photo albums, and in some cases view private pages. Levels of security are set by the creator of each profile (i.e. you or me). In fact, a recent study conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that young adults take intentional steps to protect their privacy on sites, such as myspace. Users can input fake names, locations, ages, and other information to protect themselves or have fun at the expense of site lurkers.
Narcissism or image control in a public world?
Myspace calls itself a "place for friends," as demonstrated in the logo. However, a glance at site statistics reveals that users spend more time viewing or updating their own profiles than they do looking at the profiles of other myspace users (source: Alexa).
A 2007 article in the The Chronicle of Higher Education suggests that this type of behavior, as shown on social networking websites, demonstrates the narcissism of modern college students, connecting these tendencies with a lack of empathy for others and a blindness to the needs of others.
Wow! I think this conclusion is ridiculous. If myspace users spend the majority of their time managing their own profiles its because we live in an increasingly public world where your employers can find information by googling your name on the Internet. More and more people are finding love on the Internet, and they want to be sure that their profiles are as polished as behavior on a first date. Any project that requires you to represent yourself simultaneously through text, image, video, and music is going to require upkeep.
Why post a profile?
Because its a fun, easy, and often humorous way to communicate with friends and new people!
QVCC and Myspace
The QVCC Library maintains a myspace profile with almost 400 friends. Take a peek:
http://www.myspace.com/qvcclibrary
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