07.07.08
Identity Theft from Facebook Games?
This week there has been much in the press about Facebook applications potentially leading to identity theft. Any one that has a Facebook account has seen the countless applications that are extremely popular with kids and adults alike. There’s movie compatability quizzes, brain games, send a friend a cupcake and many many more. I know my 14 year old can rattle off much more than I can and it seems every day he has loaded a new application (I know this because yes, I do openly monitor his Facebook).
Today I read this article from http://wbaltv.com regarding a game called “Mob Wars” that is an application on Facebook. You need to be 18 to play but of course any kid knows it’s pretty simple to lie about their age. Basically the player is a mob member and commits a variety of crimes. In order to get points the player clicks on a Godfather icon that leads him/her to a series of sketchy advertisements ranging from drug offers, adult magazines and credit applications that require a social security number. Many kids don’t know any better and input their social security number, subjecting them to ID theft.
The games are 3rd party web sites and not associated with Facebook but does the average kid know that and if so, would he/she even care? I feel Facebook does have responsibility to screen these applications since a major portion of their members are minors. In fact according to comScore Media Metrix the number of Facebook members between age 12 and 17 increased by 149% in 2007 vs. 2006. This age group is the largest growing segment and it does not include the amount of kids that lie about their age to place them in the 18+ bucket.
Do you feel Facebook should have stricter screening policies, is it the parent’s role or both? Would love to hear your thoughts.
Stumble it!
Trish said,
July 8, 2008 at 9:16 am
This is certainly enlightening. I think that Facebook should definitely have stricter screening policies but it should not be their sole responsibility. Parents should always monitor the activities of their children on the internet and I applaud you for monitoring your child’s Facebook account!