How do you know who is a minor?

Some US politicians have recently jumped on the "internet is evil" rant. Usually this is led by some technology ignorant do-gooder who thinks it's the job of online businesses to safeguard minors from internet threats.

The usual response is for the companies involved to "increase security and awareness", a pleasant way of saying the company will add flashing signs warning of the dangers of being online and require the user to accept a TOS, or terms of service agreement, which says the user won't hold the company responsible for, well, anything. Ever.

For years that has kept most people happy, but it looks like the days of clicking on a box after ignoring the legalese are over. American legislators are looking for ways to actually make sure people on the internet are who they say they are.

The current problem began last week and revolves around MySpace. State attorneys have criticised the site for its inability to keep sexual predators off the site.

OK, fair enough, no one wants these people on the sites. Let's face it, the internet isn't a mall, or a library, or a thieves' den. It's all those things rolled into one.

MySpace's response so far has been to hire a New York-based company to search its database for sexual predators. It has also said that it's perfectly willing to cooperate with law enforcement agencies provided they follow certain legal procedures, such a getting a court order.

By the way, chalk this one up to things internet business probably never thought they'd have to deal with.

But despite MySpace's efforts, certain states are considering passing laws that would require companies to get parental consent for minors using their site.

Sounds like a good idea, until you get down to implementing the ideas.

Just how will MySpace know who a minor is? There are a few ways to prove you're over the age of 18, such as requiring a credit card, although none of those methods is foolproof. MySpace could start requiring every person using the site to either prove they are over the age of 18 or be required to get parental consent.

MySpace has to love that idea. As the current leader in social networks, MySpace would have to confirm the ages of 177 million users around the world.

Credit card information would never work as the basis for age verification anyway. Too many minors have cards today, and those who don't could simply borrow from a friend or an unsuspecting parent.

To those not familiar with social networks or Web 2.0, the potential failure of MySpace may seem like no big loss. But this is not just some small, trendy website getting harassed by the authorities.

MySpace was estimated to have a value of $325 million when News Corp, the owner of Fox News, purchased the company two years ago. The company has only increased the brand name and services available since. In a world where users equal ad dollars, MySpace needs to tread carefully.

They can either come up with a new way of being the internet's newest sheriff or go down as another failed attempt in the long line of dotcoms gone bust.

Myspace can either come up with a new way of being the internet's newest sheriff or go down as another failed attempt in the long line of dotcoms gone bust.