Get paid to play the net nanny

Interactive websites like Orkut and Fropper are hiring fresh graduates savvy with online tricks as watchdogs to screen socially and sexually offensive content, reports Soubhik Mitra.

Shweta Bajpayee’s psychology training in college had given her an extra set of keys to the human mind. Now, unsuspecting cyber pranksters are discovering this, much to their alarm.

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Bajpayee, 24, has landed a watchdog’s job with social interactive website Fropper.com as moderator. One of the first people on a whole new career frontier, she will screen socially and sexually content floating in the maze of e-community bonhomie.

Courtesy controversies like the recent Mahatma Gandhi spoof on Orkut, social interactive websites like Orkut and Fropper are hiring fresh graduates savvy with online tricks as watchdogs to screen socially and sexually offensive content.

These youngsters are paid Rs 12,000-Rs 15,000 a month. They ensure that flirting does end up in abuse, distasteful content is not dumped online and people do not fight. Moderators work in eight-hour shifts to provide a 24/7 service.

To get an edge, Bajpayee previous experience as a student counsellor has come handy. “We are also groomed by experts twice a month,” she said.

Hemant Kumar, another moderator and an ex-call centre employee, got the job because of his customer communication skills.

“Social networking is growing in India and can post a million benefits if properly promoted. With authenticated groups, we want to provide our users a cleaner platform,” said Navin Mittal, business head, Fropper.com.