By Kisha Wilson
Street corners and department stores are no longer the ideal places for panhandlers to ask for loose change. The new wave of technology has them upgrading to cyber panhandling.
Budgeting, bank loans and working a second job for extra money are fast becoming options of the past. People panhandling for different reasons now flock to the Internet to ask for help paying credit cards bills, purchasing dream homes, and even buying breast implants. In fact, one female college student has created a Web site requesting money to let the public decide her cup size.
Some cyber panhandlers are even offering something in exchange. For example, television writer Steve Young has put his family up for sale for $5 million. He claims his work environment has become dry and that his family is in dire financial need. For a hefty price, his son and daughter will make homemade birthday cards; his wife will do gardening and prepare meals, and as a perk, the Youngs will take on the winning bidder''s last name.
'In medieval times, artists had patrons that supported them, and this is a similar thing,' Young told CNN/Money. 'We''re basically saying, wouldn''t you like to be a part of this?'
After just one day of posting his family online, eBay pulled the auction. The online auction service does not allow the selling of human beings or body parts. 'The company in the past has pulled down auctions by individuals where the service description was too ambiguous,' spokesman Kevin Pursglove told CNN/Money.
However, eBay is hosting the Web site www.savekayrn.com, which allows a New York waitress to receive money to pay the $20,000 credit card debt that she incurred from purchasing designer clothing. In 20 weeks, she was able to pay her debt in full from donations. A letter of gratitude is posted on Kayrn''s Web site, and she swears never to abuse credit cards again.
Another Web site, www.lecktronix.com/house/, is asking for contribution to the Chris House Fund. The Alabama electronic technician openly admits that he''s begging for free money because, 'beggars are everywhere, so why not panhandle online?'
Though throngs of these Web sites are appearing across America, Web sites in opposition to their causes are also appearing. In fact, www.cafeshops.com sells anti-savekaryn.com T-shirts and sweat shirts.
'Something about this act is contrary to universal law,' said BYU communication ethics instructor, Chad Compton. 'You should not receive something for nothing.'
On the other hand, Michel states on her Web site www.giveboobs.com that she is providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the world to decide the best cup size for a woman''s breasts. The college student who is asking for breast implant funds said if profits ever reach the $4,500 goal, this will be her 'proof that the world loves larger breasts.'
While online panhandling seems like an easy way to get free cash, there are many hassles associated with creating a Web site. As in Michel''s case, she had to put together a massive publicity campaign in order to get recognized. She has been discussed on 'The Howard Stern Show,' 'NBC San Diego,' and on the 'Daily Buzz' morning show in Salt Lake City.
Students who have experience in building Web sites question if online panhandling is worthwhile.
'I don''t think it''s beneficial, unless you''re some big shot,' said Mark Christensen, 22, from Sandy, majoring in art. 'It will be hard for people to see your Web site because there are countless Web sites already.'
Legally, Internet users have the right to panhandle online, but providing false information or pretending to be a non-profit organization to solicit money is a misrepresentation, which is illegal. 'There is no law against poor taste or stupidity, but it is illegal to traffic in human slavery or falsify a charity, because it is against FCC regulations,' said BYU Associate Professor of Law, Marguerite Driessen.