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)
Jennifer said 1:32AM on 10-24-2007
Who cares? Hes not my friend.
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Vahn said 5:02PM on 10-23-2007
Who cares.He looks about 40 in that old pic.
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Beth said 5:26PM on 10-23-2007
I care! I care so much it hurts!
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holly said 5:44PM on 10-23-2007
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!
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Leshay said 5:46PM on 10-23-2007
Leave Tom alone...! He's not hurting us...he's helping us network!
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Laguna said 5:50PM on 10-23-2007
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.
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John A. Williams said 5:50PM on 10-23-2007
Tom is still a friend of mine.
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p4genotfound said 6:11PM on 10-23-2007
Who cares?
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hustle247 said 5:58PM on 10-23-2007
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!
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Hannah said 5:59PM on 10-23-2007
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.
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Chris said 6:00PM on 10-23-2007
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.
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Corry said 2:47AM on 10-27-2007
i feel that my IQ has went down a few points after reading this. are you going to get some sense of more knowledge or find the love of your life by invading someone's privacy to find out if they are 10 or 11? just another back stabbing way of making money. what a winner.
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brakshere said 6:02PM on 10-23-2007
Kids hanging with a 32 year old is just as creepy as hanging with a 40 year old. Why bother with the story?
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smokeyanthony said 6:06PM on 10-23-2007
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.
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Franklin said 6:07PM on 10-23-2007
I wonder if this poindexter started Myspace so he'd have a way to meet little boys and girls?!
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Ed said 6:07PM on 10-23-2007
friggin dork space
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papa bear said 6:08PM on 10-23-2007
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.
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Elfriede said 6:13PM on 10-23-2007
Nothing better to write about? Get a life!
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Berri said 6:21PM on 10-23-2007
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.
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wesellbookss said 6:15PM on 10-23-2007
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?
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