It sounds like a terrible idea: Facebook is thinking about allowing kids under 13 years old. Oh goody! Let the bullying/exploitation begin. Can't. Hardly. Wait. Please, when may I sign up my 8-year-old for this Facebook Jr.? Because I'm looking for ways to get him more screen time and this sounds fantabulous.
Actually, my son has been asking for a Facebook account for a couple of years. Supposedly one of his friends has one, and while I suspect that kid just uses his mom's account, there's already scores of under-thirteeners on the social network. The thinking is that if they're already doing it, might as well throw open the doors, let all the kids in, and set up some serious parental controls.
ORLLY FB? Fine. Why don't I share with you what I would want kiddie Facebook to look like.
1. No ads. Haha! I know -- what would be the point of that for Facebook? Their angry shareholders would not be down with that. But I'm serious. Don't freakin' advertise anything to my kid. I WILL CUT YOU. Metaphorically.
2. No really, no ads. Just in case you thought I was kidding. I'm not.
3. Total control for parents. I want my child's account linked to mine. I want to see everything he sees in his feed. I want to see everyone who tries to friend him. And I want final approval for new "friends." Any hiding of content from parents would be impossible. I want to be Stalin but with online time-outs instead of the Gulag.
4. Common Sense Media guide for families. It's great that Facebook is talking with other kids' media like Disney. But as an independent organization, I trust Common Sense Media more -- and I would love it if they created a guide for parents to help us teach our kids good netiquette and safety.
As for that growing screen time, I guess that's up to me since I'm the parent. For that matter, since when is it to good parenting to say "oh well, they're already doing it so we might as well set up some rules" -- ??? SMH, Facebook. But let's see what you come up with.
Would you let your younger kids join Facebook?
Image via birgerking/Flickr
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Comments 13
Sorry I don't think anyone under 18 should be on it. How much bullying goes on and even if the parents know, don't do anything about it? Even without bullying, there is so much drama, a number of my friends have made their teenagers give up their accounts. But they are the rare parent.
it's already filled with kids on there. anyone can lie about their age when they sign up...
My son is 11 and has had facebook for the last 2 years. His activities are monitored, I have his passwords and check his friends list. He does not have a problem with that as it’s always been like that and he is fine with it. With my guidance he has learnt how to use facebook moderately and how to handle himself online. ie, be respectful, use correct grammar and such. Having him on facebook also allows me access to his friends pages and activates, which means I see which kids use bad language are mean and basically know who their parents are before I invite them over for playdates . I understand this might be controversial but it’s great! It has come handy many times. Let’s face it, this is going to be part of their lives, I rather they learn how to handle it properly at a young age rather than a lot of other adults I know who could learn a thing or 2 from my 11year old on facebook usage. It also helps my son and the rest of his cousins who live at other parts of the word to get to know him and vice versa interact with him.
They already had something like this on FB called Togetherville. My son had it a couple years ago. It linked to my account. He could send people I am friends with invitations (with my approval) and then send them things or post messages to them. I don't know why people are making such a big deal when this already existed. I don't know if it's still there. We didn't use it for long because it was so boring and limited game-wise.
My daughter, who is now 13, has had a FB account for 2 years. 1st she just used mine, then I made her her own account. I have the passwords, I check her friends list, her messages and occasionally get on her friends walls to see what sort of stuff they are saying. I have alerted her the couple of times I've found things objectionable on OTHER peoples' walls and deleted them. She's totally fine with my restrictions and me overseeing her account. I also check her texts messages.
I recently told her that I'm not ok with her friends using the terms slutty or ho. I was glad to see those messages though. It opened up a good time for me to talk about what is appropriate (or not) and remind her what I expect of her. BTW, those were texts TO her not from her. I told her even if there were girls in her grade who were sexually active (a lot) that we don't call people those names. Even if I privately think the same thing, I don't go around calling people these names
There are some benefits to social media sites, even for teens and pre-teens, but parents have to be actively involved in your children's computer and phone time. If you are so busy that you don't NOTICE your child is being bullied, that is YOUR fault not social media's. I know my daughter, her maturity and am very clear on our rules and regulations. My son will be 11 soon and he is NOT getting a FB account because he is not mature enough. It's a case by case thing, dependent on the child.
As far as parents signin kids up...why not? We have to sign for them at the doctors, the bank, everywhere else. Someone over 18 must represent them. Why not on FB. I mean, my 13 yr old could go without my permission and get an abortion, a serious medical procedure and I might never find out about it, but I can't sign my kid up for FB? Ridiculous.