A research-oriented approach might instead emphasize quantification of online predation (which has been insanely exaggerated), comparisons to other media (predation isn't unique to online sites),
More power to you. I guess the reason I wouldn't go this way is that I suspect that online predation--of some form--isn't that exaggerated. Much of that suspicion comes of talking to undergraduates and taking informal polls of my classes (an admittedly biased sample). And I'm not sure that showing that "only" 5% or 10% of young people are propositioned for sex online would have any significant effect on the debate. It's important that parents understand that children can be the target of sexual predators on the internet and on the playground, and be provided with the tools to prepare their children. Again, I also suspect that predation is really just a useful facade for parents feeling unprepared to see their teenage children and students frankly discussing sex in a public forum. Even if you show that MySpace & Facebook aren't a magnet for child molesters, good luck showing that they are not sexually charged.
and the impossiblity of enforcement (what online *isn't* arguably a "social networking service"?)
I think you mean the power that the law puts in the hands of administrators to decide what is acceptable--in other words, that it is overbroad. People said that CIPA was unenforceable. Just look over the ALA's resistance to the law. But that hasn't stopped it from being rolled out. - Alex -- // // This email is // [X] assumed public and may be blogged / forwarded. // [ ] assumed to be private, please ask before redistributing. // // Alexander C. Halavais // Social Architect // http://alex.halavais.net //