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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Comments
296
Subscribe to commentssimoneOct 27th 2007 10:01AM
So what? he's not hurting anyone. I wouldn't put my correct info on the web anyway. People who are wasting time doing research on Tom's "real" age needs to get laid or something.
humanneeds2003Oct 26th 2007 8:36PM
So what if Tom is lying about his age. He came up with a great idea for friends and families to keep in touch, as well as a safe way for people to meet, share ideas, and network their tools, such as authors/writers, artist, bands. You name it. This is just a silly idea to try and dirty someones name, in order to make a name for yourself. Tom isn't after anyones children. Find something worth a readers time, to write about, and you ,might sell a story...
Cat
TaraOct 26th 2007 1:25PM
What does it mater how old Tom is? He created something that is all the rage with anyone who doesnt live under a rock. I heard about myspace after my sister died. It has given myself and my family an outlet to keep my sister's memory alive. It has helped with our grief when nothing else did. It has allowed us to keep in touch with people that knew my sister and loved her as much as we do. Through myspace we are constantly reminded of her every single day. It, in a sense, keeps her alive for all of us. It has helped my mother in a way that none of us could. I am grateful for myspace and hope that it never shuts down.
http://myspace.com/evolution_of_nothingness
monsonboOct 26th 2007 3:50PM
WHO CARES ITS MYSPACE. if your that concerned about his age then don't let your kids go on there. Come on why waste time investigating something like this. The journalist who's doing this could be reporting on something that might help her career a little more.
Loverly82Oct 26th 2007 2:00PM
OMG! That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard! OK, so maybe not the DUMBEST, but it sure ranks right up there. My GOODNESS, people...go find something better to do with your journalistic talents!
drdre2ticOct 26th 2007 2:08PM
are you really serious? tom is automatically added to any individual that creates a page on myspace...its not by choice. I DONT CARE HOW OLD TOM IS!! I DIDNT EVEN ASK TO BE HIS FRIEND!! the real issue is some of the idendity fraud or theft, whatever u want to call it, that goes on by some of the members of myspace. i have come to find out, by catching someone, that on myspace a person can be whomever they want to be...even if that means stealing pictures to please everyone. myspace is great...but can be dangerous, thats what your book should be about.
KrazyKat357Oct 26th 2007 2:57PM
wow..your boss actually pays for u to come up with this as a story....wow...must b desperate for help...not very good jounalist if this is something u would write about...are u an adult or a child...who in the hell cares how old he is...I would suggest to your boss to start looking for someone that can be a mature and interesting writer
k.kOct 26th 2007 3:04PM
who cares?tom doesnt care for users to know his age and niether do we
kelseyOct 26th 2007 3:09PM
you guys are retarded. so he lied about his age.
GET A LIFE!!!!!
almost everyone lies about your age once and a while! on my myspace it says that i'm 99, do you really think i am? if you do then you are a s stupid as the writer of this crap.
retha ferrellOct 29th 2007 6:30PM
I was just reading about cellulite when I saw the headline. I am over 40, a musician, and a myspacer. Obviously, I have 5 minutes to spend on worthless reading. Tom is a genius, everyone is jealous, end of story.
marileighOct 26th 2007 5:26PM
Hey Is Chris Crocker going to do a "Leave Tom Alone " video............Hey chris call me, I have some ideas....
j.jOct 27th 2007 5:04PM
toms my hero
sandraOct 27th 2007 7:44PM
when i first came to myspace he welcome me with sending me an e-mail saying welcome to my space i think that nice of him to e-mail everyone new but its up to the person if you dont want to talk to him just dont e-mail him back and no one is hunt all in all thank you tom for welcoming me i dont care how old you are some people just have nothing to do but write bad things about other people find something else to do here im lieing about my age too i'm 32
KINGTEASEONov 12th 2007 1:54AM
ITS NOT BIG DEAL WHAT SOEVER ....
ITS NOT LIKE HES LYING ABOUT HIS AGE AND SAYING HES 17 TO GET A 15 YEAR OLD .. AND HES REALLY 22.
WOMAN LIE ABOUT THEY AGE ALL THE TIME.. SO WE SHOULD DOWNGRADE THEM, AND MAKE ISSUES OUT OF THIS TOPIC, BECAUSE A FEW TEACHERS SLEPT WITH THEIR 13 YEAR OLD STUDENTS...
NOPE.
mee.Nov 12th 2007 11:09PM
lmao. it's not even that serious. myspace is just a way to reconnect with old friends, or family members elsewhere. myspace is a joke anyway. whoever takes it personally is such a sad case, like children who you've seen on tv saying they've been raped or drugged by some random guy they met off of myspace, oh man, that just makes me laugh. TH0SE ARE THE M0ST STUPiDEST CHiLDREN I HAVE EVER MET. it's their fault that they go on their way to meet up with a stranger, like come on have some common sense ya know? & this whole "tom is really 40" crap, get real peoplem like who hasnt lied about their age? besides tom doesnt talk to ANYONE personally. the only time he talks is when it's about the site. he's not really a threat. & the book about him, LMAO oh dear, anything to make a few bucks! lol. you people make me laugh =)
AustinNov 13th 2007 6:10AM
This is the most biased crap I have read in a long time. OMG he lied about his age - Now you're suggesting pedophilia?
Jesus christ man, get a god damn grip.
People lie about their ages ALL THE TIME - ESPECIALLY WOMEN. That doesn't make 99% of the world kiddie chasers.
dumba$$.