Is MySpace's "Tom" Lying About His Age?
Despite efforts to replace him, MySpace's Tom is still the most popular and most default friend on the ridiculously popular social networking site. Tom is, of course, Tom Anderson, the creator of the site, whose profile lists him as 32 years old. However, in what may be the most glaring example of why you shouldn't trust a thing you see on MySpace, (or online in general), reports are surfacing that Tom may be as old as 40.His Wikipedia page echoes the 32 age, stating his birthday as October 13, 1975, and his undergraduate date from U.C. Berkeley of 1998 seems to jive with that. But apparently Julia Angwin, a writer for the Wall Street Journal, is working on a book that uncovers, among many other juicy items, Anderson's real age to be 40.
We can't wait to read that book, but in the meantime, we were able to get some confirmation on Anderson's age discrepancy from some industrious online bloggers. It turns out that an unnamed "senior person" at MySpace confirmed to TechCrunch that Tom is really "36 or 37." Why lie, and why continue the lie for so long? (Tom's birthday on the site hasn't changed since 2003.) And, is this a big deal?
Well, lying about your age isn't exactly a felony, especially for a Californian, but it is kind of creepy, especially when you've got a bunch of kids wanting to be your friend.
What do you think? If Tom Anderson is lying about his age, is it a big deal?
From TechCrunch
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 15)
Vahn @ Oct 23rd 2007 5:02PM
Who cares.He looks about 40 in that old pic.
Beth @ Oct 23rd 2007 5:26PM
I care! I care so much it hurts!
holly @ Oct 23rd 2007 5:44PM
wow.. are you that bored that you are really doing a story on this? your boss must be proud *i say this with sarcasm* nobody wants to be toms friend first and foremost. when you sign up tom is automatically your friend.. he never writes you (personally) he sends out messages concerning the site and the crap going on inside it. And two.. so if he is really closer to 40, and his site says 32 but nothing has changed since 2003 maybe his is just set that way from when he created it from the beginning maybe his pages still has a glitch that that does not automatically update. If you are worried about your children you are retarded... HE MADE MYSPACE HE CAN PROBABLY HAVE ANYONE OF AGE THAT HE WANTS.. I AM SURE HE HAS NO NEED FOR YOUR CHILDREN... So calm down.. focus on something more important in the world, like all the molesters that are teaching our children in schools!
Leshay @ Oct 23rd 2007 5:46PM
Leave Tom alone...! He's not hurting us...he's helping us network!
Laguna @ Oct 23rd 2007 5:50PM
This just goes to show you that even the friendly-faced creator of a worldwide social website can lie. And imagine if Tom has another account, seeing as though he is the mastermind behind MySpace and therefor can create codes for that sort of thing. Being brought into the light as such as a lie can really distinguish your character, and deface what people see as such a friendly and helpful person.
I never liked Tom anyway.
John A. Williams @ Oct 23rd 2007 5:50PM
Tom is still a friend of mine.
hustle247 @ Oct 23rd 2007 5:58PM
Really? Is there nothing else going on in the world for you people to write about? I'm upset I even took the time to read this, then comment... Find something better to do with your time!
Hannah @ Oct 23rd 2007 5:59PM
Who, if anyone, over the age of 30 has never lied about his or her age?
Most everyone in that age range has at one point or another--even people who work closely with kids (i.e. teachers, nannies, the guy who works at Wawa).
With that in mind, the author of this story needs to re-evaluate whether this piece is actually newsworthy or just a waste of space.
Chris @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:00PM
Myspace is for losers with no life who need the internet as a social tunnel rather than an information tool. Losers, get a life and I dont care what you say... you're a loser if you need to add yourself as a friend...Noobs.
brakshere @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:02PM
Kids hanging with a 32 year old is just as creepy as hanging with a 40 year old. Why bother with the story?
smokeyanthony @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:06PM
Perhaps Tom knew all along that youth culture would propel his idea, and made sure that age and all else was aligned in its appeal. If he is 40, he looks great for his age. I had the privilege of shaking his hand, January of this year, and he is a nice guy. Good for him, and his progressive creation.
Franklin @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:07PM
I wonder if this poindexter started Myspace so he'd have a way to meet little boys and girls?!
Ed @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:07PM
friggin dork space
papa bear @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:08PM
Uh yeah, it's called youth marketing. People can handle a 30 year old still being 'cool' these days. If it was the '80's his age would have been listed at under 30 for sure. It's not a shock. No one would have joined myspace if it was run by a 40 year old nearing early retirement.
Every actor in Hollywood fudges a bit when they start out for the same exact reasons.
p4genotfound @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:11PM
Who cares?
Elfriede @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:13PM
Nothing better to write about? Get a life!
Devlyn @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:14PM
oh for crying out loud leave the guy alone who cares so I willl be willing to bet 90% of the people who use a computer in the whole world LIE about much worse things even puting up pics that are not that person OMG I know I have caught many in lies so if he wants to keep his real age a secret who cares I like the site I am able to stay in touch with my son and daughter and my grandkids and have fun makeing my space special for me now many of my friends are in my network too and share pics ect it is fun !!! Tom your OK in my book ty for coming up with the idea !
wesellbookss @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:15PM
This is almost as bad as my old hometown spending four pages (including the front page) interviewing everyone from the barber to the Mayor's secretary because he (the Mayor) got a new haircut. What happened to real news?
Berri @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:21PM
Who really cares? Has anyone ever concidered he really does not want anyone to figure out who he really is and how old he really is? How do you really know his name is Tom Anderson? Maybe it is an on line persona to protect his personal life? If I were in that kind of position, I would not want anyone to know my real name & personal information in fear some crazy stalker would hunt me down. Or the media would camp outside my house 24/7 so they can make money selling my pics to sleazy tabloids.
katherine @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:26PM
first of all chris, u cant even add urself...so check ur facts b4 writing them...and yes, tom is or mayb older than 32 and yes that is creepy..bt how many ppl on myspace r actually 14 and older..i dont know many so..there u go