MXIT: Angel or Demon?

When you say the word “MXiT” you literally get a mixed reaction (depending on who you are talking to).  Most youth will smile and know what you’re talking about, some adults may pull their face in disgust and try to change the topic, while others may look at you with confusion and ask “Mix what?”

Although the media frenzy around the abuse of MXiT has appeared to have died down, there are still people who have a negative impression of this technology.  Cellfhelp would like to de-mystify this application and show parents how to safeguard their children from potential abuse in this post.

What is MXiT?

MXiT is an application that you can use on your PC or mobile phone that allows you to chat to other MXiT users using text messaging that is MUCH cheaper than SMS.  It is an instant messaging and social networking service that even allows you to include your Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, AIM and Windows Live Messenger contacts into your buddy list.  (We did a post on Nimbuzz which is similar).  It allows for cheap, easy and fast communications across the Internet.

Why the bad publicity?

As is the case with any technology, some people will abuse it for their own purposes.  With the rapid growth in young users, predators had a ripe field for contacting and talking to unsuspecting young people, which they manipulated.  They would masquerade as other young people or friends when their true motives were not as they seemed.  In the same way that criminals use the Internet to lure children, they used MXiT to contact young people through public chat rooms.

Due to the emotional aspect of this problem, public outrage was aimed at the technology and not only at the abusers.  It is the old “Do guns kill people or people kill people” argument…. However, guns are designed to kill whereas MXiT was built to enable affordable communication and it is unfair to slate the entire technology due to the activities of very few individuals.

The MXiT developers immediately responded by adding additional filters and security features in order to protect their users and many parents were awakened to the importance of KNOWING what their children are doing on the Internet (mobile phone or PC) and how to protect them.

Why the good publicity?

Not only did the whole MXiT abuse debacle highlight the importance of Internet security (and wake up a lot of ignorant adults) but it also showed that the same technology could be used for good.  Marlon Jacobs, lecturer at CPUT and founder of the Reconstructed Living Labs showed how MXiT could be used to counsel young people.  His team of qualified counsellors have successfully helped hundreds of troubled teenagers suffering from suicidal tendencies, abusive home situations and drug addiction.  By meeting the children where they are (in the MXiT chat rooms), Marlon’s team engage in open, honest conversations with problem teens.  They encourage them to talk about problems and then give them contact details of counsellors and authorities who can help them.  They have many success stories where lives have been saved and changed around thanks to the timely intervention of a caring person who was available to talk in an accessible manner.

How do you get MXiT?

If you would like to get started, simply visit http://www.mxitlifestyle.com/ and click on the download button.  For mobile access visit: http://m.mxit.co.za or www.mxit.com from your mobile phone and follow the prompts.

How much does it cost?

Since MXiT chats are done using GPRS (where you only pay for the data and not the time), they are really cheap and you can estimate that a text size message could cost as little as 15 or 20c (where an SMS costs anything from 50 to 80c).  If you want to partake in chat rooms, you need to purchase access using “Moola” – which is MXiT’s own currency.

How do I protect myself (or my children) when using MXiT?

Think of MXiT as you would any Internet application where your information is visible to the world and follow these standard precautionary measures:

1. NEVER give out private information such as your full name, home address, ID number or cell phone number.
2. NEVER agree to meet a stranger from a chat room in person.
3. NEVER abuse other people in chat rooms.  Remember that tone of voice is not easy to guess from text messages and sometimes your words could be misunderstood.  So always type in clear, simple terms.
4. As a parent, make sure you are aware of your child’s MXiT buddies and which chat rooms they frequent.  Discuss these in open conversation and warn them of the dangers of talking to strangers.  Here are some other problems teenagers have faced with MXiT:
   1. Addiction. Chatting can become addictive and there are many people who have grown dependent on Internet chats (mobile and PC).
   2. Abuse / Cyber bullying.  When you chat to friends online, you can easily become involved in arguments so be careful of how you interact.  Warn your children to block any people who send them rude or nasty messages.
   3. Sexual Predators: Unfortunately these guys lurk EVERYWHERE, including MXiT.  Teenagers must avoid topics of a sexual nature and if they suspect that the person on the other side may be dangerous, they should report them to the SA Police (or MXiT abuse report forum) immediately.
   4. NEVER share photo’s that you wouldn’t want to see published all over the Internet! Some people have had very embarrassing (if not devastating) moments when pictures they shared with “trusted” friends ended up on public Internet Web sites.  Avoid sharing files in general because some could also contain viruses.

So is MXiT an angel or a demon?  Well, MXiT is just a a technology and its power lies in the hands of those who use it.  It can be used for good (as in Marlon Parker’s example) or bad.  Banning or forbidding the use of MXiT and other instant messaging services does not make the problem go away.  We believe that users and parents need to be aware of the possible dangers so that they can empower themselves to use and enjoy the great benefits of the service.
MXIT is a South African company started in Stellenbosch and is 30% owned by Naspers.   MXiT has met with great success in enabling users to have affordable communication and with their rapid international growth, is a great South African success story.