A Flea

"The main motivation seems to be protecting the "kids""

I think MySpace's main aim is to be seen to be trying to protect the kids etc. Actually protecting the kids is not important; if children were abused as a result of MySpace, and it was not reported in the media, and no legal action was taken against MySpace, then MySpace would suffer no detriment. It does not have emotions. The important thing is that MySpace is seen to be doing something, and that this is reported on in the media.

It makes for a positive story, and might help MySpace in future if it is taken to court for harbouring sex offenders, in the same way that companies spend a lot of money coming up with official policies on e.g. harassment, racial intolerance in the workplace, that are only ever posted to the intranet. The only downside is the fact that the audience will now associate MySpace with 29,000 sex offenders.

That's a good name for a band. "The 29,000 Sex Offenders". The cover of their first album will be a montage a la Sergeant Pepper, but with 29,000 sex offenders instead of e.g. Mae West, Oscar Wilde. Although Oscar Wilde *was* a sex offender. And so was Mae West, I think (she was arrested for obscenity).