MySpace invaders head for the UK
January 24, 2006
According to the Register, who got it from the BBC, MySpace is on its way to the UK and it’s time to lock up our daughters. Or something.
Although, as the Reg implies, much of the material on MySpace comprises “moralistic rantings, crushes and fashion and hairstyling disasters” this will still have a significant impact on blogging numbers in the UK and the perception of social media, for good or ill.
Here’s my prediction: The Sun and The Times will encourage younger readers to embrace the concept by giving away free music downloads in the same week the News of the World (sister paper, also owned by Murdoch) will kick start a moral panic when it reveals a Welsh MP posing as a 12 year old on MySpace trying lure little girls into a three in a bed romp with a goat.
By the way - somebody must be kicking themselves they didn’t register the domain myspace.co.uk right at the beginning. The current owners are inviting offers and you can be sure they have a hefty sum in mind. A lesson for ambitious start-ups everywhere.