Bebo is mostly used by teens for chat, etc. but it can also be a good place to find new music. I occasionally browse their bands section.

However, today I saw a 13 year old boy in tears because the Bebo website had sent him an email saying that he had received an official warning for abuse and that any further offence would see him banned. He says he had always behaved well on the site and was quite shocked to get the warning. Bebo will not enter into any discussions about it, and he must not reply to their email.

What he has done is send them a message through the website, saying why he was cancelling his membership. His girlfriend has also cancelled her membership in protest.

Apparently you can be banned from Bebo without proof of wrong doing so long as someone makes an allegation that you abused the terms. You will also receive no explanation.

They may think that this amounts to nothing as it's only a website and "not real life", but it's members are real people with real feelings, and they deserve to be treated with some consideration.

Is Bebo being abusive by not allowing it's members the chance to defend themselves against allegation? Or is Bebo's policy merely a reflection of modern society?

Perhaps they haven't got the time to go into lengthy investigations of allegations (which will almost certainly end in a he said / she said situation - without any proof either way).

It does reflect how "touchy" everyone is these days whenever children and abuse are mentioned !

Perhaps everyone is better off steering clear of such sites (before the police ask you WHY you spend so much time on sites with 13 year olds)?

Welcome to the 21st Century.

The 13 yr old is someone I know "in real life", not through a website, so I wouldn't get too excited ITK. My experience of Bebo is limited to the band section.

It doesn't take a lengthy investigation to tell someone what they have been accused of. That bit is easy and courteous. It's the very least they should do, but manners are in short supply these days.

Sounds like they could have worded it better rather than charge in.

Many letters etc are extremely poorly worded. I think some people mistake authority with being rude.

Is there another channel you can contact Bebo and point out why the letter is poorly worded as they won't get into the actual case.

I had an automated "Failute delivery Notice" on an e-mail, which used the words "I`m sorry I can`t do it I give up!"