Parents Talk: Would You Allow Your Under-13-Year-Old on Facebook?
In this week's Parents Talk, we ask parents if they would allow a child younger than 13 to set up an account of Facebook.
Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that developers at Facebook were developing technology that would allow children younger than 13 years-old to use the popular social networking site.
Currently, Facebook policy states that, "in order to be eligible to sign up for Facebook, people must be 13 years of age or older."
According to the proposed guidelines, children under 13 could use Facebook under tight parental supervision. Childrens' accounts would be connected to their parents' and parents would decide whom their child could be friends among other things.
While nothing is yet set in stone, many parents say Facebook isn't a place for a child under 13. What do you think? Should children under 13 be allowed on Facebook? Tell us in the comments.
Jody Gifford
9:20 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
I am honestly dreading the point when my kids are old enough to use social media so no, I'm not going to let them have a Facebook page before age 13. I think it's far more important for them to have the face-to-face contact with friends than to have this "wall" between them that they have to have a conversation over.
Ashlee Kieler
9:50 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
I didn't even know there was an age limit at this point. My 10-year-old cousin has a facebook account. His mom started it for him way back when Farmville was popular. I don't think he uses it anymore, but I don't think there's much stopping kids that young from using the site already. How will they monitor this?
Stephen Schmidt
10:26 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
No, I would not. Then again, I have no actual children, so I don't have to listen to them whine about this decision. Makes it a much easier call for me.
Anne Carothers-Kay
4:45 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
I say no, based on the nastiness by daughter told me about on "My Space" when she was in high school.
Maria Houser Conzemius
8:35 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
I say no too because of bullying. Adults and children have shown themselves capable of the most appalling cruelty. Then there's always the problem of roving pedophiles. A neglected child is especially vulnerable.