MySpace People to Avoid

By Jeff Cohen, freelance writer (cohenwriting@aol.com)

MySpace is clearly one of the most popular websites around. Consistently ranked in the top ten, it boasts millions of members. While most people have noble intentions, there are always a few bad seeds that can spoil it for everyone.

To maximize your odds of a positive experience on MySpace, be sure to avoid these five kinds of people. You’ll be free to enjoy MySpace if you can keep them out of your space.

Person to Avoid #1 – The Solicitor
There’s a huge difference between building friendships and selling stuff online. If someone reaches out to you and you’ve never met them before, it could be a great new friend to add to your growing network. But it could also be someone selling products and services online. Whatever you do, don’t give your credit card or personal information to this individual. Next thing you know, you’ll be buying three crates of bananas or two sets of antique chairs.

Person to Avoid #2 – The Predator
Plenty of people use MySpace to bolster the romance department. There is absolutely nothing wrong with looking for Mr. or Mrs. Right on MySpace. In fact, there have been lots of success stories already. But you need to know the difference between a quality person looking for love and a predator who might hurt you. If the person wants to meet too quick or gives you a strange feeling in your gut, avoid any further communication. If you really suspect something is wrong, notify MySpace customer support.

Person to Avoid #3 – The Spammer
Have you ever met someone who brags about an email mailing list of thousands or even millions of members? How exactly did they build that list? If the answer is hard work, then good for them. But if spamming was their preferred technique then be wary. Avoid giving out your personal information to those you don’t trust or know very well. You’ll keep your MySpace account clean and avoid unnecessary email communications.

Person to Avoid #4 – The Eager Networker
There’s nothing wrong with the desire to be loved. Building your network to 54,834 friends is a great accomplishment. But it’s really only great if there’s a reason to have all these people in your network. There are folks in the MySpace community who are over eager to build their friendship networks and will approach just about everyone. Don’t be afraid to say no to someone if you really see no reason to be in communication. They’ll quickly move on to the next person and leave you alone to build a network with people you really want to get to know.

Person to Avoid #5 – The Trouble Maker
For whatever reason there are people out in cyberspace who get a strange sense of satisfaction from causing trouble. Whether it’s posting negative comments on your profile, spreading viruses, or messing with your account, these trouble makers can wreak havoc on your MySpace experience. Nip it in the bud by reporting trouble makers right away. The quicker you get them off MySpace the sooner they’ll be out of the trouble making business.

Jeff Cohen is the author of the e-book, 30 Minute Guide to Online Dating. It's a must-read for anyone looking to master the art of online dating without wasting hours of valuable time. To learn more about the e-book and purchase a copy, please visit 30 Minute Guide to Online Dating.