Parents in the California community of Mission Viejo are in an uproar regarding the Internet community Myspace. Myspace.com, a web site started in 2003 in order to get the word out regarding independent musicians, has recently been transformed into the fourth most visited web site in the world. It currently boasts 41.5 million users. While there has always been some debate as to whether it is a good idea for children to be on the site due to its lack of screening against Internet stalkers and adult language and images, an entire new debate has arisen due to a disturbing message left by one young man on the morning of

November 29, at 8:14 am.

Joshua Anson Ballard, a 17-year-old student at Capistrano Valley High School, sent a “bulletin” out to all of his friends, a bulletin which, among other things, asked for them to “call the police” and that he was sorry and gave his address along with details about where he would be. Police intercepted the bulletin after being notified by a concerned Myspace user that something suspicious was occurring. Students and school officials also called Ballard’s mother in order to warn her, but it was too late. Ballard was found dead in his bathroom later that day.

Parents in the community are outraged that such a web site exists, and claim that it promotes suicide and depression. Myspace has been called a website where “teens talk about favorite bands and crushes, but also use profanity and discuss sex and drug use,” according to OC Register reporter Greg Hardesty. Myspace is now at the center of a debate involving America’s teenagers. Consider web sites such as this to the old party-lines previous generations used, others feel that it is a major outlet for potentially violent situations.

This idea is further backed up by the actions of William Freund, another California teenager who killed himself and two neighbors following an online chat in which he spoke of doing such acts. This was not a Myspace related chat room, but the same idea applies; while the Internet does give teens an unprecedented amount of freedom, the dangers of such freedom are very real.

It is also important to note that some groups also feel that it is just a sad story and that the web site was only his last call for help, and not the cause. Michelle Farrell, a freshman at HHS was on Mr. Ballard’s “friend list.” While she had seen bulletins from him in the past, she was not around her computer at the time the now infamous post was made.

“I don’t think it was Myspace’s fault for what happened,” said Farrell. “That’s like saying that it’s one of his friend’s faults.”

While both sides have their arguments, the debate over Myspace and other Internet forums is just beginning. With events such as the death of young men from suicide however, this debate is much more serious than just a rebellious youth movement; it is a matter of the safety of the generation.