Many people use social networking sites, like Facebook or MySpace, for harmless activities, such as connecting with old friends or making new acquaintances. Other times, though, these could be used for less pure motives.
A recently released sex offender from Australia recently set up a Facebook page looking for a relationship, reports the Herald Sun. The man served 11 years at the Disability Forensic Assessment and Treatment Service for sexually assaulting women.
Officials from the Department of Human Services say that patients are only released when they are deemed to be safe for society again, though DFATS employees told the source that they were terrified he would use the social networking site to track them down. Notably, there is no law prohibiting the man from using Facebook or requiring him to list his status as a dangerous sex offender.
With more than 400 million Facebook members worldwide, Robert Sicilliano, personal security expert at Intelius, estimates that 1 to 3 percent may be sex offenders. "Be careful who you friend. They really are out there," he advises.
Since the story was originally reported, the Australian police have considered giving Facebook officials access to the nation’s list of registered sex offenders. In the U.S., the social networking site uses the sex offender list to ban potential threats, keeping the site safe.
This is precisely the reason I don’t have a facebook account! I’d just as soon not collect anymore stalkers thank you very much!