Kids under 13 using Facebook
Facebook does not permit children under 13 to use their services. Does that mean you should stop your kid from trying?
Children under the age of 13 are not permitted to have a Facebook account. In fact, according to Facebook, they aren’t even allowed to access the website. Obviously, there are some holes in the system. It’s not as though Facebook can stop your 10 year old from viewing their website. In all honesty, Facebook can’t even stop your child from creating an account. Any kid with a little knowhow can figure out how to open an account by faking the year of their birth.
So, as a parent, what do you do when your preteen asks if they can open a Facebook account? Or, if you discover your kid has already registered using a false date of birth, what actions should you take, if any?
Though I won’t go as far as saying that I allow my 12 year old to use Facebook – smiles and waves at the Facebook police – I can say that I see a lot of preteens doing just that. Is it such a bad thing? Sure, there’s a lot of stuff on Facebook that wouldn’t be appropriate for young eyes, but you can find just as inappropriate content by doing something as innocent as a Google Image search (without the proper filters on). It all comes down to education and monitoring.
What do you think? Do you allow your preteen to use Facebook? If so, do you feel guilty about breaking the rules and, essentially, feel like you’re teaching your kids that it’s okay to go against policies sometimes, so long as “everyone else” is doing it? Or are you a parent that absolutely will not allow your child to open a Facebook account until they’re 13 and feel that any parent who does is irresponsible?
My daughter is 14 and she has had one since she was 12……. I encourage Facebook over surfing the net…. she ahs her family and school friends on and they share picture, jokes and thoughts…… It’s an easy way for me to keep track on what she’s doing and who she is talking to!!!!! However, I do have the filters up quite high….not just anyone can add her!!!!!!
Can you please help me with how you set up filters, My daughter is 12 and is talking to high school kids that she has never met! Then texting until the wee hours of the night with one kid that has an odd cell #. Scares me and she doesn’t understand. Any help would be greatly appreciated
I’m not being mean by any means , please don’t take this the wrong way. I consider myself an old school parent (I’m 40 and my son is 8).
My first question is, why is a 12 yr old even allowed to text? And why is she allowed to have it with her in bed? And most important, why does she even have a phone? A 12 yr old does not need a cell phone. MAYBE a prepaid for when she is over a friend’s house, or goes to the movies, but there’s no reason a 12 yr old needs a cell phone 24/7. My son will not have a cell phone, unless I can find a phone and a plan where I have control over adding contacts and blocking phone numbers. I think Verizon had something similar (some sort of Parental control feature)
As for the Facebook thing… You have more control over what your child does on Facebook then what they do on a Cell Phone. JMHO anyway!
What? I had a cell phone with a plan at the age of 7. You want the entire parenting world to turn into control freaks like yourself. I’m ten with a facebook account
Angelina,
You are missing the point. There is no age limit for cell phones. Therefore, anyone can have one. My point is this: Has facebook set an age limit to join facebook? (yes, 13) If you are under the age of 13 and you have a facebook account how did you get one? You either had to lie and say you were older than you are or your parents lied and said you were older than you are. It has nothing to do with being a control freak for me. It has to do with teaching my child honesty and integrity. I don’t want my daughter thinking it is ok for her to lie because she doesn’t agree with a rule that is set in place. I understand not agreeing with a rule but that doesn’t make it okay to break it.
I totaly agree with Angelina. My parents wount let me have a facebook. they say gmail is good.
I know that you want a Facebook account because your friends have one but i think you should ask yourself if you really want every one all over the world with a Facebook being able to look at your pictures message you etc. I don’t think facebook is a bad idea i just think the people who use it should be safe :D
I agree with angelina COMPLETELY! im 11 and my rents wont let me have a fb! they say that only bad things can come of a fb acount. well heres news for u! im not 2 fricken yrs old anymore!!! and i think im more mature than alot of my friends who have fb and nothing has happened to them!!!!!!!!! my parents think im like retarded and cant take care of my self well they cant stop me from making a fb!!!!!
kids our age shold not have fbs because of the bullying we should not even have phones that why so many kids are killing themslves
Hey Angelina-
I remember when I was your age. I thought everyone treated me like a baby, and I was really a lot more… mature than I actually was. Most ten year olds think that. I remember thinking that it was so unfair when my parents told me I couldn’t have a cellphone until I was twelve. I thought that was insane. I couldn’t wait until I was twelve.
Now I’m thirteen. I think about it now, and twelve was way too young to have a cellphone. I got it because my parents wanted to always be in contact, and it was like an emergency phone.
I deleted my facebook recently, and I’m not going back on. I got it when I was twelve, and I liked it at first. Until I got somewhat addicted. It interfered with my studies, my sleep and my social life, believe it or not.
I’ve read some scary stuff about Facebook and it’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg. I don’t trust Facebook, and I’m not going back again.
Angelina, when I read your comment, I laughed. It was laughable, until it was worrying. And all those who agree with you worried me further.
I know my place. I know that thirteen is young, and I don’t think of myself as mature. Ten, is very young. You’ve only been alive ten years. You are no older than that, yet you seem to believe so.
We aren’t control freaks. We may just have knowledge you don’t. Your parents, and other parents and adults around you are worried for you. They are worried for your safety, because they know how dangerous Facebook can be. Trust your elders. More often than not, they know the right thing to do.
Don’t be stubborn.
Angelina you know you did not have a phone at 7 years old and you do not have a facebook you dont even have to lie
I am 29 years old and was in 8th grade when cell phones started to become heavily used. I do not agree with you that you should have a cell phone or a facebook account. You are 10 years old. You have nothing important enough to say or do at 10 that you need a cell phone for let alone a facebook account. Adult things come as you mature. If you are given rights that should be reserved for higher maturity levels you are skipping key points in your life and will pay the price for that later. This is more of a parenting issue than anything else.
@myles yuh dnt know if she has one or not. im 13 an i have a purple lg rumor touch an my little sister is 8 and she has this friend who is also 8 and when she came to my house she had the same exact phone as me except red its the matter are yo parents banken or not there’s many diff situations and yea for all yall who say what do lil kids have to talk aboud at there age alot not every kid is gonna be a lame no life like your’s and the whole facebook thing ive had oned since i was 11 nothinq wrongg with that stop bein so hard on yo kids n let em breath.!!
Colin and angelina,
You two may think that “no harm” can from facebook, but i’ll tell u from my personal experience, 15 students got SUSPENDED from my high school in the past month, due to “stupidness” that they did on facebook!
when they were posting, commenting, and uploading on facebook, they didn’t intentionally mean harm BUT u know what, NOW they’re suspended and it will remain with them for the rest of their lives as they waiT for university acceptances, GETTING A JOB and such.
You have got a lot of years ahead of you, and that just means that everything u do online from now till then, WILL REMAIN on the web FOREVER! Just because u think u deleted a picture from fb, doesnt mean anything!
ANYONE can printscreen or save that picture and it could come haunt you later on in your life.
I’m not saying DON’T use fb, because i know ur not going to listen BUT INSTEAD, use it WISELY!
KNOW who ur talking to on there. Do you trust them to be able to access all your info? If not then don’t add them.
Set ur personal settings as “PRIVATE” so strangers can’t harm you purposefully.
Good luck!
Nice job… tell that parent off
U go Angelina, Facebook rox, these people r just stupid………………….And u no i had a phone when i was 7 so suck that 1
i totoally agree with sara my parents think im fricken 2 years old and they wont let me have a facebook and everything is on facebook these days sometimes i can be a complete gamer and the new NHL 12 game by ea sports is coming out an you can put yourself on the cover but guess fricken what thats over fricken fb so screw you mom and dad let me have a fricken fb
I totally agree with you Angelina! I am 12 and my parents are really strict about rules. But I think they are being over protective. I just want to chat with friends and share pictures. I know Facebook can be dangerous but my parents have taught me about stranger danger and all that stuff. I know not to hat with people I don’t know. I also know that you need to think carefully about what you post but I am just a kid. I am not going to post anything dirty or anything bad. Again, I just want to be able to chat with my friends. I think there shouldn’t be a rule about 13 and over only. If you’re parents think your ready you should be able to have one. My parents think I am mature enough but they have to listen to the rules. I don’t like it at all! I just want a freakin Facebook!
umm angelina that is rude i am 12 and i do have a phone and i don’t have a facebook but apperntly you have no respect for adults and ur parents are stupeid for letting you have a phone at 7 you don’t need one with the way your talking to these ADULTS.
There is a time and place for everything. At your age there are other things involving direct parental contact that you should be enjoying
Okay, I am 12 also and I think all of the kids my age are over reacting. Sure, I disagree with my parents sometimes, but what they do is for your own good!They are just trying to protect you from creepy people that will do horrible things to kids! Seriously, people can be really, really scary on the internet. I have heard of countless scams and abuse that has come to kids over the internet. Be careful, the world is a really scary place!
P.S. Having a phone at 7 is WAAAY to young! Really the only time you start to need one is when your 16 and driving.
Angelina-
I am 12 years old.I do have a Facebook account and sometimes I can be ashamed to have one and sometimes I just love it and I don’t think. Facebook can really be harmfull to you and others. I think kids, like you, can be really bratty about it! I think kids think they are cool or something if they have a Facebook account. I only had one when I was 10
because I had to support my friend, Alicia. Her sister died in a crash. Anyways, I still don’t consider myself mature. I wanted a Facebook because I thought, “People are treating me like a stupid, little baby.” But, I recently learned that they were trying to protect me. I was kind of scared once I learned it. (Not to sound like a snot or any thing >>>) I was like, “What if people I don’t know think I am beautiful and add me as a friend? What if they track me down? What if the share my pictures on a bad website?” Now, I keep my whole Facebook secret. I once was a girl like you. Wanting to be the best girl in the school because I had a Facebook. I respect your opinion but, I am trying to warn you. Watch out for people you don’t know! Tell someone about it if someone you don’t know sends you stuff innapropriate. Thank you for your time. Please try to think about this!
~Linnea (Lin-Nay)
Hum i have had a phone sens i was 6 and im 8 now so ur tripin lol im sorry my mom is soo pratecktiv of me if i go to my friends house she will call me 50 times thats why i tearn my phone off LOL heheh i just tell her it was dead so back to what i was saying i have a phone for lots of resens 1.just in kace of a inmrjinc 2.so i wont use her phone all the time 3.i can call my friends and wont get lonly well bye
THIS post is exactly why kids should have limited time on computers, cell phones, etc. Good Lord, child. Do you have any clue how to spell anything at all?? And what about punctuation?? You need to get off the computer and go to school! And shame on your parents for allowing you to be like this. It scares me that kids like YOU are the future of this world. If you want adults to view you as a responsible person, you need to prove yourself as one. Quite frankly, your post makes you look like an absolute lazy, unreliable and untrustworthy person.
u did not have a phone at 6 liar
u hav a cellphone at the age of 8
yeah i had a cell sence 3rd grade
Why would you lie to your mother like that?! Just tell her to stop calling you if it bothers you THAT much that you’re mom loves you and wants to keep you safe.
If they are responsible enough to use it properly. By what I’m reading here, I doubt that to be the case for most of them.
Grieve people. The English language was brutally murdered. While the corpse was still warm it was spit on.
Are you kiding me! you DEFINETLY dont need a phone when half of your post contained spelling or punctuation errors. the proper spellings are protective,reasons,case.
I totally agree about setting boundaries for young children. Allowing your child to text at night to strange numbers and then saying that Ionrage is being old fashion is very hypocritical, mainly because you are saying that you are worried that your child is texting all night to strange numbers. This shows that you have no control over your child and you are asking for help. KIDS should not i repeat SHOULD NOT have a cellphone to text whenever and do whatever nor have a FACEBOOK. There is absolutely nothing for kids to catch up on because they are still in school and have friends there to socialize with. They are not busy adults looking to socialize. they should only be allowed a prepaid for emergency purposes only
I’m 11. I don’t have a facebook. I have a phone, but I do not use it to text to my friends all the time. The purpose of a phone shouldn’t be to become a person who texts all the time to their friends just because they have nothing to do. You can go outside instead; play with a couple of friends.
Woah,Woah,Woah! Hold on a sec, u have no right to tell us what to friciken do. You might be someones mother but I know you are not Stacy’s, mine and all the other kid’s mothers on here, so why don’t you get your two sense out of here! I am 11 bout to turn 12 and I know you need to back the hell off! I don’t think I need to repeat my self!
I don’t think I mispelled my self!
When you say busy adults wanting to socialize why the hell would they want to socialize when they need to take care of their life. Adults with facebook have completely no life.
i think all this is stupid.!! you should let your kid have a facebook and a cellphone because if not now when they grow up and get one there not gonna kno how to act with it and go crazy because the never got to use or expirince the feel of it
Ok, I’m 11, but I definitely know right from wrong, or atleast, for this matter. Rules are there for your safety, most people under the age of 13 don’t understand that. Texting at 10, 11, and 12? Even I wouldn’t approve of that. Another thing is, some of these posts with terrible grammar, instead of playing Facebook, they should be studying and learning in school. When you get out from you Teen-Age life and into the Adult life, where will Facebook get you then? You probably couldn’t even afford to get on to Facebook anymore….. I believe people should be 12-14 before they get a cellphone, and that they shouldn’t be texting until 14-15! I do not have a Facebook, Nor a Cellphone, but I sure do have a brain. All I can say is, God gave you a brain, so use it wisely, not playing on a website….
I am 12 years old and i have a facebook and a phone so why wont you let your kid on facebook or have a phone how are they suppose to talk to their friends. what if i want to go over to my girlfriends house and make out then what do i do. send her a letter kids need some way to communicate. and your kid probably hates your because you are over protective and i have personally had a friend commit suicide because his parent was over protective
You need boundaries!!
No offense, but uh, we don’t exactly need to know when you want to go make out with your gf.
I agree with nora you need boundaries
your very stupid i am 12 and i don’t have a facebook anymore cuz mine got reported so i don’t have one i have learned my lesson. and it’s not like you need one retard! and i also don’t belive any of these freakin idiots that they got there phones at six or something supid. if you lie it turns into a bigger lie ok so like you ppl seriouly need to grow up and get the hell of of a computer i bet all the kids that have posted are FAT. so yeah if you don’t want to be fat get some exercise. god it amazes me at how many ppl at this age talk this this!
Corey, When I read your post I thought to myself why is a 12 year old making out with his girlfriend? and a question for you is, “have you ever heard of a landline phone line”? Just because you have this and you have that and your parents let you do this or that does not mean every parent wants their child or children to do as others do and that is the parents choice on how they raise their child/children! Why do children have to communicate 24/7 to other children is another question I have? When I was a child I acted like a child I played outside, went places ony bike, walked around my neighborhood with my friends! I understand having a cell for when you go places without your parents! I have known atleast 3 friends of friends that are on facebook who their kids have gotten kid knapped due to talking to strangers on facebook or texting! My Opinion is that children should be taught how to act, how to talk to others and how to have integrity, because if a child is not taught how to act, talk, think for themselves etc etc etc they just become a person who lives life trying to be like everyone else. When I have kids I want them to think for themselves, care about how they talk to their peers and to adults! And the only way for a child to know these things that are a good foundation for preparing them for adulthood is for their parents to lay down that strong foundation of trust, love, integrity, and to knoe that everyone has rules to some degree! that is just life!
I think that having a cell phone at the age of 12 is a good thing! I mean, the world is changing and turning into a world with technology. This is the 21st century and I think a kid of that age should be connected. I think it’s good that you are protective of your child, as every parent should be, but keeping someone out of a world where everyone is going wireless, is not good for your child.
wooow ur such a frickin noob
I’m 11 and i don’t have a phone or a facebook even though sometimes i wish i had one i still know that my parents will decide the right time for me to get one. Also, please don’t get me started on the bad words. We are the future population of the world why waste our breath saying something as dirty as some of the comments in these paragraghs. Mom’s out there thanks for keeping your kids safe at least some people have sense. But on the other hand i do agree that some parents just need to give bits of freedom until they know they can trust us to be safe on our own while still checking up now and then. Thanks for reading my comment.
I have to agree with you. I guess I’m a bit of an old school parent, myself.
My son just turned 12. He wants a cell phone as do most. I’ve explained he’ll have a cell phone once he can afford one on his own.
I think a cell phone gives kids [and parents] a false sense of safety or security about what their child’s doing.
“Oh, I can just pick up the phone and they’ll answer.” I think that’s an optimistic perspective on a device that can still fail or be taken from them under duress.
I think cell phones allow for more mistakes to be made under less supervision.
As for Facebook, my son has created three and I’ve commandeered them all. I don’t think he’s mature enough for Facebook.
I would argue that most kids his age aren’t. In my opinion, giving Facebook to any kid under the age of 14 or 15 would be comparable to giving a car to a kid that doesn’t know how to drive.
There are responsibilities, risks, rules and benefits to driving – Facebook or the internet is no different.
This might help! If you press the start button near there should be your name and i picture u press that and then you go to the control panel and then press parental control to filter certain sites if you dont want your child on facebook
hey im sorry i dont know im 8 and i have a phone hehe i know little yong but…
yeah you are
If you were a good parent you would NOT ALLOW YOUR 12 year old daughter to be on a site like Facebook. Especially if you do not know how to set up filters…wow how are you a parent… Your a scary person. No one should allow you to have a child of your own.
Yes, no 12 yo needs to be on facebook..Having to text all hours of the day and night and being on Facebook all the time- Sounds like people let TV,Facebook,CellPhones etc.,etc. raise there kids for them so they won’t have to.Yes I’m on facebook, My wife is and my kids after they were about 16 yo, but not without limits..There is more to life than all this Electronic communication aiding in lazziness and Obesity.Kids can keep in touch by going to school, ballgames, movies,etc..Keeps them healthy and active.Being divorced,and my ex-wife has my daughter,I haven’t much control over how she raises her-My daughter is always trying to stay on the phone,the computer,TV and gets really pissed when I restrict her.She is over weight and it kills me to watch her being raised the way she is. She can just keep getting mad all she wants.If I wasn’t a good parent I would ignore what she does and not say a thing.all I can do is hope she realizes what I’m doing as she gets older and respects me more for it.All this electronic communication,Gaming and soForth is OK- But know the limits-Don’t live by it and don’t let it raise your kids.Is that what you people really want?Your kids to grow up FAT , Lazy,With only a super-human thumb for texting-LOL.PUT a limit on it and spend time as a family- that doesn’t mean spend family time texting accross the room—LOL
yeah dude if u showed the kids a pie chart of the fb stuff they might eat it
so im 11 bout 12 and i have facebook so back off!!!!
you need to grow up!
I am 12 yr old I do have a Facebook account and sometimes I can be ashamed to have one and sometimes I just love it and I don’t think. Facebook can really be harmfull to you and others. You never know who can be on there and share your pics and put them on a horrible website!
HAVE SOME RESPECT!
You need to know the things people can do, in which, you haven’t learned yet!
John, I think you’re very close to enforcing your opinions on others and posing them as truth in your own light.
I don’t see why everyone thinks facebook is sooooo awesome ! or interesting
well you cant force her to stop and all but if you have a strong bond in your family maybe on the weekends go out for the whole day to a place like going out for lunch and dinner rest of the time at a beach or something and you can also take her phone get her a new one that cant text go online only calling camera and 1 or 2 games you cant protect your child forever but you can at least do something that helps her take time away from going online also im sure you have the keys to her door right????? you check on her even if she doesnt like it or if she ever met those high school students you your self should meet them to !!! that way you know at least a little bit of information about them
Omg mary you look at your kids personil info thats mean what if i did that to you gees you see who shes talking to im going to see who your talking to gezz (mad at dum mary)
she’s aloud to,she’s the adult their the child,when your an adult you can do what you want, but for now she is legally aloud to do that,sorry.
btw I’m not an adult I’m 15 so yeah….
Just because she can, doesn’t mean she should. I’m 18 going on 19 this month; been using internet and playing video games since kindergarten. I think it’s not so much the electronics people use that attributes to laziness, but it’s rather the exercise people aren’t getting.
I can surf the computer for more than 5 hours a day (a hard-won battle earned that) but as long as I take my daily 15 minute walk, I have the energy and enthusiasm to do anything. The fresh air and new sights keeps me motivated.
By no means does it constitute a healthy lifestyle (I’m overweight, but not obese), but it doesn’t make a person lazy! It’s all up to the individual person, and if your kid is getting the exercise they need but aren’t doing what needs to be done, limiting time spent on electronics do not solve anything. It’s an attitude problem. You can take everything away from a kid with an attitude problem, and they’ll STILL find a way to ignore their responsibilities. On the other hand, a kid with a GOOD attitude will at least attempt to juggle both and prioritize appropriately.
Sheesh dude, get a life! The computer rots your brain!! I think maybe 1 houra day is good and I’m 12!!
lol You think adults can do what they want. Just because your a child doesn’t mean your parents can look at your phone, email, and facebook. It’s not like your parents can do anything to u if u try to stop them from doing something. Btw i’m 13.
D:< i meant to reply to Sarah not Thecorty.
Actually, adults CAN’T do anything they want – that’s the whole point! Just because you WANT something doesn’t mean you can have it! I want to sit around all day eating chocolate, watching TV and playing computer games, but if I really DO that, what kind of state is my family going to be in? I work hard, and I provide, along with my husband, for the needs of my children, and when I can afford to do extra for them, I do. My kids are smart, loving, and appreciative, and if what I’ve seen on these posts is any indication, I REALLY don’t want them interacting with a lot of people on the internet. Most of the posts I’ve seen here are of spoiled children with no supervision an WAY too much time on their hands. You want to be treated like adults? Get jobs, pay your own way, and show that you deserve it!
how stupid are you? i think very!!
I have no idea what you just said.
Hi I have a 13 year old daughter that is doing exactly what you are letting your daughter do with facebook So she says she seems to be getting obsessed with looking at freinds and family profiles and Im not sure what aproch to take at this point and not sure exactly how to find out who shes talking to or how to set filters Im sure with research I can find out but if you have a quick fix please let me know
Thank You in advance Tammy
Anyone who wants to block their kids from facebook (or any other site) needs to do some reading on this site: OpenDNS.org
I am an IT dad of a 12 year boy and a nine year old girl.
My kids can do what they want on the internet/xbox.
I filter their web results, I can block any domain I choose and I CUTOFF their internet after 9pm.
It’s not a popularity contest – it’s parenting.
I agree, i am only ten but I really want to make a face book account so could you tell me how to put the filters up high so i can talk my mom into letting me pleases? I mean she lets me have an email but not a face book like all the other kids in my class do
Hi jayderbug123
I’m 13 years old and in 7 th grade I do realize that you want a facebook and I totally understand because I want a facebook too but my parents haven’t decided yet and my argument to my parents is always but everybody in my class has one but if I think about really only a few people have them and even though they may talk about how great I’m sure that if you and me get one then we will see it’s not that great after all so now I’m not even sure if I want one now. It takes a lot of work to want something so much I don’t think it’s worth it but that’s just my opinion. Just think about all the cool things you all ready have pluse it’s not even legal or you to have one
First of all, Jayderbug123, WHY do you want a facebook? Are they really so cool? Think about it! Soon, like in a week, nobody in your class will care about facebook. A few talks here and there. What’s sooooo cool about facebook????? That’s what I want to know!
because of farmville and all the other great games i have seen and because its another way to talk to friends because my phone broke
Most of the games on facebook are a scam. There are actually much better games available elsewhere on the internet.
Facebook is not an authority on games or socializing. It’s the most popular one, right now.
You can have everything you mentioned without using Facebook, at all.
Yeah, all the games (including farm ville) are scams. You have to pay REAL money to make the game actually fun.
Hi Mary. Would like to talk to you about the decision process that went into letting your daughter use faceboook. I’m a reporter for The Washington Post.
Thank you! Cecilia 202.334.4367
im 12, i have a facebook account – right now im in school and me and my friend are doing a speech about why facebook should be allowed.OF COURSE IT SHOULD BE !!!. anyway cyARR
So why should it be allowed?
So, why should Facebook be allowed?
well i’m not thirteen yet and I want a fb real bad! but I know where my parents are coming from I’ll just have to wait a couple more months. I think parents should set an example for their kid/kids and torchure them and make them wait.But not really cause that’d the what I think that’s what my parents trying to do but they probably aren’t. It’s probably for are own good anyways. :) + why don’t you just look at other peoples fb. most of the stuff on fb written by family members friends and family isn’t meant for kids under 13! trust I would know. By the way i’m not a geek trying to cause problems.
You sound like a smart kid.
I was wondering if this restriction was still in place… that Bell radio ad where the kid is supposed to be punished but everywhere his father sends him has wireless access…
“Billy, go outside.”
“Yes! Facebook!”
That kid does not sound 13 to me.
[...] asksimon@sympatico.ca (Marc Saltzman) wrote an interesting post today onPreteens Using <b>Facebook</b> – Do You Break the Rules? | Sync <b>Blog</b>Here’s a quick excerpt [...]
It can be made private, should you wish to do so and know how to do it.
Not that I really care about the opinion of a person using the word “gay” in a derogatory way. Grow up, learn the facts, and gain a vocabulary.
i think there is nothing wrong with it aslong as u monitor who they r talking to and what thy r doing. there r alote of perverts on there so aslong as they have there privacy settings up then know one they or u don’t want to see o talk to them will be able too…..
i totally disagree face it FACEBOOK IS NOT A SITE FOR YOUNG ONES. take it from me even though i am ten i learned about all the bad crap that happends hen you lie about your age and do very bad stuff. I choose safe sites like webkinz and club penguin over that facebook.IF YOU ARE A PARENT OF CHILD UNDER 13 WITH A FACEBOOK DON’T YOU WANT THEM TO BE SAFE??????!!!!!
uhhhh club penguin and webkins are for girls i would rather lie than be a girl
Emile, facebook really isnt bad. You see the stuff that friend’s posts.9 times out of 10 its not bad stuff. Facebook really isnt a big deal. My parents made me add them as a friend to monitior me. And Emile,(not being disrespectful or rude) but why dont you GROW UP.
I am grown up. There are to many bad things on facebook. From hackers to stalkers.How can you not be rude when saying GROW UP?? It is a big deal to be on facebook because everyone(including YOU) make STUPID AND DUMB choices.
totally with you dood
Club penguin and webkinz are for 4-6 year olds 0.e , and @yeah those games aren’t just for girls
Face it folks (pun intended). Our kids need to be media literate, so the best thing to do is teach them the same way you taught them to cross the street. Holding your hand..paying attention to the signs…watching out for drivers who aren’t following the rules of the road (ie. spammers). My child’s entire class is on facebook, grade 7 group…I am one of her friends, so there are no secrets. Any evidence of anything inappropriate is just another teachable moment.
Everyone knows that forbidden fruit is more tempting.
YES YES YES !! A parent that gets it !! I agree !! MY SON AND FRIENDS ARE ON IT – HE HAS HIS FATHER AND MYSELF ONE AUNT AND UNCLE AND COUSINS AS WELL AS HIS SCHOOL AND GROUP FRIENDS.BASICALLY EVERYONE IN HIS LIFE….. HMMM FOOD FOR THOUGHT HUH ?? I have a sister with a child just months older than mine – he is NOT allowed to do that facebook thing…. he is forbidden …. HA !! Guess what he is on my friend list. Is she crazy – what better way to keep an eye on your kids ?? Be a friend – you can keep an eye on their friends and make sure they are not going down a bad path. Have fun with them – you can even post I love yous…. just not too often…. the kids actually think it is funny when a mom does that !! I have boys ! True forbidden fruit is awsome to them!! Give a little – You will be happy you did !
I absolutely agree to your comment Heather..we share the same attitude..the best way to keep an eye to your kids is to be a friend in facebook, we got the entire family and extended family and friends globally.thanks to the creator of facebook we can finally be a real part of our pre and teen ager children.
Hate to break it to you but you kid and there friends whose parents know they have a facebook…not all kids but a lot. Have a facebook for thier parents to see and then they have a facebook that is for just them…
Its not hard to have multiple accounts.
I did it, my friends did it…it happens
Have a “good boy/girl” account then the real account.
Be smart you still should watch what your kids do online.
And another thing I use to do is listen for my parent to come and check on me and close the site I was looking at and bring up a fake site that they would like me to look at.
Those filters you can place well if you have a smart kid then you can just change them and delete the parental passcode…my 13 year old brother figured out how to do it.
i swear if my dad put i love u on my facebook wall (if i had 1 this is just a hypothetical) i would delete the account
ahh scratch that i was replying to the comment on top of you
I get what you’re saying, I personally don’t have kids, but am on Facebook. there’s a wonderful way to get around people’s prying eyes. Messages. It’s like email on;y on facebook, as well there is also Facebook Messenger, only you and the person you’re talking to to can see that.
FYI
My 10 year old has a facebook. I created it for her 2 years ago so she could talk to her nieces (in their 20′s) out of town. I am also in her facebook. This year, she discovered that all her peers have facebook. I can tell you that I am one of those parents who watch and moderate what goes on with her and her friends. I have seen horrid things that 10 year olds are doing. I try to mediate by writing to these kids when things get out of hand. Problem is, their parents get involved then and start threatening me. Prior to my moderating, they have no clue what their kids are doing and what hours of day/night they are on facebook. My child is responsible because I gave her the lecture when I created the account. Problem is, most of her friends are doing what they want with no parental supervision. I try to warn via email, etc but as soon as I post to their child in facebook, I am considered a terrible parent.
hmmmmmm just kil;l the stupid filters gosh let your kid run wild 1ce and then u never have 2 deal with it again
Hi. I’m a reporter for The Washington Post, hoping to chat about the use of Facebook for children.
Would be grateful if we could chat about your thinking behind the decision to let your child on facebook.
Thank you and regards,
Cecilia Kang
kangc@washpost.com 202-334-4367
Well, C. Reilly
I agree that having ur children as fb friends helps u keep a tab on them BUT you should keep in mind that fb allows users the ability to set “certain people” for limited access. So, if they wanted, they can hide whatever they don’t want you to see.
And I know this because I’m an 18 yr old on fb myself. and I have seen what younger kids are doing on there.
my son is 7, closely monitored and enjoys Yoville with his much older siblings, and other relatives. No one is accepted unless I approve them for him. He talks to his brothers via IM on the site and he is the first to show me that someone he doesn’t know wants an invitation. I believe that one of the handheld games is so open that a predator can be standing just a few feet away and send a message to children who are playing these machines in the park. Everyone is at risk and parents do need to be proactive in what their kids are doing but no matter what we do as parents at some time in our kids lives they are going to be on sites and at this age my son is slowly learning the dangers and how to be cautious. I don’t think for one moment I am irresponsible..and my son enjoys his Yoville and the close contact he has with people he loves that are to far away to see everyday..
I agree! My 7 year old daughter has her own account solely for the purpose of her playing Yoville and Farmville. I think as long as it is monitored, it’s fine.
NOT 7 YEAR OLDS
Definitely NOT 7 yr olds,
WHY IN THE NAME OF GOD WOULD A 7 YEAR OLD HAVE A DARN FACEBOOK YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED!!!!!!!
Emile there isn’t anything bad on facebook you can make your info private so only your friends can see it. Stop Spazzing -_-
thats definitely gonna happen with the psp and nintendo ds thing that can happen anywhere like xbox live
Is that still enforced? I know a few people who’ve made accounts for their kids (ages 4, 2 and newborn) in order to show family and friends updates and pictures of the kids without publishing information on their own accounts where more people would have access…
To think that a parent would not know the risks and concerns of a child on the internet by now or know whether they can trust that child using a
computer connected to the internet, unsupervised.
Facebook is the least of your worries, if that “preteen” is surfing the
dark side.(Porn sites, Personals with predators, etc.)
You, as a parent, just have to use your own judgment.
But here’s a reality check for you :
Facebook, consists of Instant Chat, Forum Chat, Photo Posting, Online
Games, Friends lists, and Various application quizes (made by users).
Users can add friends from around the world to their lists.
ALL of these features are available through other sites as well. They
are “a dime a dozen”. Facebook is just another version.
The BIGGEST, only risk you need to be concerned about, with your child on
the internet is COMMUNICATION. If your child communicates with someone
safe, then fine, but if your child communicates with a “predator” who
has intentions of harming your child, then you need to be concerned.
If yoru child is responsible enough, NOT to give out personal information
to strangers, then you can rest at ease. This is same concept as letting
your child walk out the door to go to the mall or someone without you.
TO TRUST your child, or NOT to TRUST your child is the only issue here.
If you don’t trust them, then I suggest you NEVER let them on that
computer without you sitting there (attentively).
Otherwise, if you feel your child can surf the net responsibly, whether
Facebook, Myspace, MSN, Yahoo or wherever, then you can decide.
Just beware, teens age (11-17) are vulnerable because of their quest to
“be in love” (We’ve all been there)
Jerry
jfrankrob@shaw.ca
I dont think the parents should give theyre kids fb if they are going to look at it! your parents should trust you with fb and not have to ‘creep’ you. -.- stupid parents…..
I truly see a problem with children that young on Facebook – there’s just no point! The beginning of high school seems to me like a fine age to start a Facebook account. However, parents should not go overboard with preventing their kids from being on the site… my parents did not let me get an account until right before my 17th birthday (after months of putting my case forward in the most diplomatic way possible)! In my mind, I should have been allowed to get one a couple years earlier than that.
i dont think children should be allowed facebook accounts not because of the predators out there (if they want your child bad enough, they will find your child) facebook compromises the security of your pc system with its games and addons, most, if not all of which are not actually created by facebook and are barely sanctioned – it could be your child’s best friend (whom u know well) sending he/she a new “game” to try out – I have personally seen 4 computer systems irreparably damaged by facebook apps (in this year ALONE), and two of these facebook accounts were heavily restricted and monitored (an 11 and 14 yr old respectively) these children had no idea why their pc crashed and had no knowledge on how to care, fix or prevent such problems in the future, sure, most kids today are whizzes when it comes to pc stuff, but most of that seems media or hack related material, and every kid ive talked to that has a good handle on technology still cant protect or clean their system adequately – all 4 pcs had to get completely wiped and new OS’s had to be installed, often to the tune of hundreds of dollars
moral of the story is: NOTHING on the internet is ever free, and children just dont possess the foresight to help themselves before or after its too late
Excuse me? What was that….? Your computer crashed because of a Facebook app? TEH! Its not the actually app that caused your computer to crash its the fact that your computer has little to no RAM a terrible OS and terrible specs. Also they probably fell for one of the easiest scams on the internet which is to sign up for online accounts and such to earn coins or in-game items. Fail. “Often to the tune of hundreds of dollars” Like Paul said it takes between 15 minutes to one hour of somebodies time and no cash as long as you were not a noob and didn’t throw out your installation CD or DVD. Once again FAIL.
NO it was not MY pc that crashed, and you should really think about what you are saying before posting a comment like that – you have no idea what you are talking about – i didnt give the specs or the ram or anything and i can guarantee that at least one of the pc’s most likely could have outperformed yours (again, not mine) btw, I built my own pc tyvm, and not including the case, I custom built the tower alone to the tune of $2000can, I’m a hobbyist, not a noob, and I have been frankensteining pc’s since BASIC was de rigeur – I’ve probably been doing it longer than you (that is an assumption on my part prompted by some of the ignorance in the statements I’ve read) – BASIC is pre-DOS to all you noobs – and at least with the stores in this town, all the new pc’s came preinstalled with their os and only came with a restoration cd that proved to be rather useless in the end. hundreds of dollars not only included the hard drive wipe, but a new os, and replacement/reinstallation of all the other software that had been purchased for that pc, plus labour because they all had to be taken it to a pro to get fixed, (cheapest price from a pro in this town for an XP install, $100) and if you have ever wiped your drive and reinstalled the os, then you should know that it does NOT take 15 mins, no matter how fast yr pc is – Win7 install took almost an hour from start to finish (incl. the inital wipe)
my point was about kids using facebook for this reason – children do not know NOT to sign up for this thing or that thing (HEY! get yr smileys here! play this game, etc) that was my point – adults, for the most part, know better, children however, do not and can not
jasminda
I sooooooo agree with you!
the guy above clearly doest know his stuff. I too have had the pleasure of completely wiping a dual-drive Pentium 4 [7 year old comp, really freaking slow :)] and i know how long it takes… luckily i have made ISO copies of all the software i have (cause CD/DVDs tend to get physical damage)
It takes an awful long time to do a clean wipe. My sister is 16 and does not have a facebook account (she’s not that into it), she’s more into flash games and those for me are scary becuase the high risk of malware being attached to them… and its not just the online ones.. she likes the ones where they get installed on the harddrive… and she is not knowledgeable enough to de-select the toolbars when she installs them. The worst is when those games comes pre-packaged with the Zango virus… (nasitiest piece of virus i have had to deal with…. only a full wipe puts me at ease)
Neways… eunf of my ranting :)
add to my prev comment
I dont mean to be a snob but if you are a hobbiest like you say, then you should be doing all the installation yourself and not paying ridiculus amounts of $$$ to a comp repair person/shop… i mean for God’s sake… there is TONS and TONS of DIY guides on the internet.
but i do agree on the time consumed for a full reformat.
i do all my pc work on my OWN pc DIY guides are great, but i am not going to experiment on equipment i do not own – however I am not a licensed tech, and I wont do the same kind of work to someone else’s computer
buddy you clearly do not know enough about computers/tech/viruses (based on your ignorant comments).
I recommend that you look at the definition of Malware.
this one was meant for
David says:
September 12, 2009 at 3:44 pm
<—-(needs sleep)
hEy!!! im 15>>>iVe BeEn OnFace BooK SinCe i WaS 12>>>My Mom kNeW AbT dIs>…> SHe LEt ME Join Buh DiDNT ALoW ME TO JuX AdD AnyONe I WanT>.>. SHe StIlL OBsErvEs ME ANd tRuly TrUStS mE!!!
I <3 My Mom!!!
you might want to use spell check ;-) and yeah for your mom for trusting you, I think that means more than anything.
wait, let me get this straight. you have to lie to do something and you get trust from that action? doesn’t make much sense to me.
True, she/he did lie, but “Facebook Lover” probably doesn’t mean she/he gained trust from lying about her/his (1 year younger) age, but she got trust for what she/he will do with the account.
i totally agree w/u ”facebook luver” i have a facebook and my mom arees to it im just 12 i can only add people like fam mem. or friends we both know
Why does 1 year between 12 and 13 matter so much?
Sorry, I meant to say:
Why does the 1 year between age 12 and age 13 matter so much?
@jasminda: reinstalling windows cost hundreds of dollars? HAHAHAHA! Takes an hour, and the cd, that in most cases came with your pc, + the cd key is on the side of your pc case somewhere. It’s called DIY. If someonme can’t manage to install windows, they should stay off the computer all together(Mostly intended at adults, not the 14 year old kids)
Only problem I can ee is to force the pc to boot from disc, but some quick google search from another pc(or your phone) will help you. Heck just call future shop, ask for the pc department and ask, i’m sure they’ll tell you just to get you off the phone
We don’t allow facebook (or MSN) in our home. I have an 11 yr old and a 14 yr old and my husband and I set an example by not having accounts as well. I have seen some of the kids sites and Nexopia sites and I can’t believe some of the information they post on there not to mention the trampy photos. I was always taught “don’t ever put in writing what you wouldn’t want to read in the newspaper”….well kids today obviously don’t get that. One day all their facebooking is going to come back to haunt them. I’m sure there are some kids that use it wisely, but as far as we are concerned they are better off without it…and they are okay with that.
i totally agree with you Tanya! Us parents need to set a example for our kids if we don’t the will follow the path we took. I cannot belive some parents think it is okay for there kids to lie about personal info. Once in our daily newspaper one girl was apparently caught making her friends accounts and getting the kids introuble when they didn’t do one thing!It makes me so upset that there are some many dangerious sites for kids out there and that people want to hurt them.Hopefully one day this so called “facebook” will be taken off the web so no one can acsess it or they make some program that knows if your lying about your age.~Emile
I don’t think anyone under the age of 18 should have their picture posted on Facebook.
Has anyone here ever been on Facebook, and joined a fan-page/did a quiz/joined a group/used any type of application? As you might have noticed, just before you’re allowed to use the application, you have to agree for the application to have full access to your account information.
That is not safe privacy. Why would they need to know your birthdate/any private information just so you can play one of thier applications? Other applications around the internet don’t need that information for you to play Bejeweled.
Also, there are a lot of different ways around Facebook privacy. Anyone can find you just by your picture. If they search for you, or for anyone. You could most likely find tutorials on the internet explaining how to crack a Facebook account and track someone.
If your underage child has Facebook, I think that he/she should have a fake picture and should change her/his location to a fake place. That should ensure more privacy, at least protecting identity.
They should also never add anyone they don’t know.
There are a lot of freaks that have a heyday on Facebook, because of the easily accesibly private information.
ARE YOU AOUT OF YOUR FLIPPING MIND? Yes, I know caps means yelling, I would be yelling. I can picture you as an overprotective soccer mom who will NEVER let their kids live their life! When you say,”Anyone can find you just by your picture. If they search for you, or for anyone. You could most likely find tutorials on the internet explaining how to crack a Facebook account and track someone.” There are 2 things wrong with that statement.
1. NOBODY can view your profile/updates unless they add you as their friend.
2. There is NO SUCH WAY to crack a Facebook account. If you google it, about 32,000,000,000 google results and 30,000 youtube results will come up. And 32,000,000,000 of those google searches are fake and they DO NOT WORK. If you try ANY method ANY video/website tells you how to hack Facebook, it will not work.
I hope you have a good time babying your kid from the real world. Wait, you probably don’t have a kid because sex is “dangerous.”
If you think every kid from 12-17 is going to put up with all your parenting bullsh*t, then think again because WE WILL NOT STAND FOR OVER PROTECTIVE PARENTS ANYMORE!!!! God, how can you be so stupid?
God is NOT stupid. Just thought you should know that ;) Just because the world is full of evil doesn’t mean parents need to go out of their way to put their kids in the middle of it. I am not saying Facebook is a bad thing. Some of the things on it are just not appropriate for children. So call me a bad parent, but I won’t needlessly expose my children to things they don’t need to see at this point in their lives. I’m going to be a parent and let my children be kids. Wow! What an idea!
Parents shouldn’t put up with disrepectful punks like yourself. Hey Einstein, wait till you have kids of your own and act just like you. BTW, it sounds like you’ve tried to hack some Facebook accounts. That’s really intelligent! Why not try to get added as a friend to whoever you are stalking?? It would be MUCH easier according to your own research :)
oh, you just took it too far… he said nothing about stalking. for petes sake! no one can see anything unless they add u as friends, and you have to ACCEPT the friend request OMG!!!!!!!!!! (omg was sarcasm)
If you are a parent you should set it to that on your kids facebooks.
Why did you put ur real face? sorry thats nun of my biz nis but i real think you shold not put ur real face on a publick web well please dont tip any mean coments its just my ipinyin and how do u put little smilly faces there cute
your cool. (im going to whistle)
Rylee remember Jenna well you know her friend she took to that Friday church thing well i am him i am jayden
Right on! People barely let child have fun online. But I think the only reason I have a account is that I’m a wiz at the computer. My brother who is not as good as me doesn’t have his facebook account ( or it is because he would rather play games) I mastered the computer in under 3 years. I love my computer and can’t wait til I get my own
you just answered your own question. If your attitude is common amongst children (as you so obviously are one)then more discipline is required, and now. Your disrespect, cursing and pathetic ‘vive le revolution’ talk is so commonplace it is rather cliche and proves the point of ‘less exposure is better’ exquisitely.
I will now go so you can look up any words, phrases or sentences unfamiliar to you.
Nobody cares. Oh wait you do. Which makes you a nobody!!! Kids should have freedom. Not you babying to adulthood. Yeah Im just ten yeah but I am a tech WIZ so shut up and let your kids LOVE LIFE NOT BE SCARED OF THEIR ONE FRICCING SHADOW
YA ur nice add me as a friend u shold be abel to love life not you babying us we HATE it im 9 and i hate it sooo much i think it should be agens the law heheh that wold be gr8te well thx hahhaha lol omg
Fine. Leave home and try to survive as a computor whiz. Maybe after living through hell on earth you will actually be able to appreciate the soft cushy life you lead.
This would benefit you–go talk to those who have been victims in this life and see how many say they saw it coming. No one can predict when you will be a victim but you can lessen the chances of that happening by using the grey matter located(in most) between the ears.
Good parents do this for children until the children are deemed old enough to look out for themselves. These days, that is not until well into the twenties. As witnessed by posts found here and elsewhere(can we say Youtube) it may mean well into the thirties for most.
Unfortunately for you, your parents did not read your posts here because we did. If they had, and they were anything other than a banjo pickin, cousin marrying inbred, they would have stopped you. Period.
Comments like yours are a quick way to tell where most of these horrible youngsters without grey matter between their ears are coming from.
Bad parenting. Possibly bad genes.
yes i agree but they should not up a persons picture(for the other persons safty) but like a dog or animal or icon and yes they should change the place they live
Putting an age limit on an event or item is a generalization used to cover the maker’s butt. Some kids under 13 are more mature and responsible enough to use things, others are not. It has nothing to do with their physical age and everything to do with their mental development.
The choice should belong to the child’s parents and the other adults in their lives, since they are the ones who know whether their child is ready for it yet.
As for predators, porn, etc….that happens anywhere and everywhere. Can you restrict your child from going out into the school yard for recess because there might, maybe, possibly be a lecher loitering on the street outside her school? Can you put a blindfold on them as they walk down the street so they don’t see the underwear billboard, or the beer ads? Can you stop them from seeing the shameless young people groping each other on a towel at the beach? Or protect their ears from the bad language surrounding them?
Your best bet is to teach and guide them through all these things so that they will recognize the threats and know how to deal with them appropriately, including Facebook.
just because you disagree with a rule doesn’t make it ok to break it. not a good lesson to teach children.
You can ban your kids from Facebook, and say that all these networking sites are evil and immoral if you wish. It is your opinion and your right. But I cannot see that it is wrong if you keep the settings in a manner that keeps your child safe from anything inappropriate.
My son is 9. He has friends on FB from when we lived in the UK and it is a fine way for him to keep in touch. He uses it to chat to me when I am away from home and he enjoys it. Regardless of the rules, I would prefer him on there with my supervision rather than off his own back.
Regarding the virus’, they are all over the web anyway. It isn’t only kids that manage to find them, and it is unfair to blame FB in any way. If you can’t repair any damage yourself then simply keep backups and create repair discs.
Facebook is garbage populated by no life people who should be out doing things.
It also lacks privacy and many kids will regret the crap they post on it when they grow up.
Just a money maker for the genius that thought it up.
YES! You hit the nail on the head. I was born in the early 70′s, grew up in the 80′s. Video games and computers were isolated pastimes. The rest of the time I was out with my friends..PLAYING..ball, riding my bike, making forts, having water fights, sleepovers, exploring the world around me. Too many kids today spend better than an 1hr daily in front of a screen, video gaming, texting, IMing, emailing, surfing, downloading etc, etc, etc. We are condoning a wasted generation. Facebook is a waste of time!
I agree with you guys (Junk & Jeremy)…..Facebook is a waste of time! I was born around the same time. I now have kids, and I want them to experience the some of the same things I did has a kid. Things you cant find behind a screen. My family leads a very active lifestyle. Which leaves little time for this kind of crap. We dont have to worry about issues people are posting here. Ya.. I have the internet, ya.. my security screens are in place, as my children do use the computer. I think kids need to be educated ….a computer is an important TOOL. Same as a hammer, wrench, stove, car, etc. Everything has its place. Everything needs balance/ moderation.
Wanna keep in touch, pick up a telephone. Or better yet, pen a letter, stamp it and mail it.
My kids love getting mail…rather than an email!
I see alot of parents commenting on here, over generalizing the true issue.
Trying to self justify their means, to allow their kids to tip-toe around adult content, subject matter etc.
Give me a break.
That’s like looking for a safe way to drink and drive without hurting anyone. Or toying with a loaded gun….but the safety is on….so its ok.
THINK people!
We wonder why kids act the way they do these days. We all see the news!
Perhaps we condone to much…..such as Facebook.
Kids are expected to grow up faster than they need to!
Things like Facebook dont help.
I am only 11 and im the only one in my class that doesnt have a facebook acount. and onestly, i dont want one! its just for talking to random people and its so stupid!
Well done, ‘facebook sucks’. My daughter pestered me for fb ‘everyone has it’ I relented she went on it 4-5 times and realised it was the dullest thing on Gods earth, she does lots of activities – very busy has a life.She thought it hilarious that people chatted on facebook about eating pizza etc- talked to each other on FB but not in real life The other day in class the teacher talked about the Madonna every child bar her thought he was talking about Madonna! We are raising a generation of ignorant, dullards God help us
I feel like I should have grown up back then… seeing people constantly texting and such makes me laugh because they’re all going to be messed up when they’re all older… as for Facebook, I got 2 or 3 days before my 13th birthday. As for kids with phones, anybody under the age of 13 should’nt have one.. in my elementary school there was a person in 4th grade witha cellphone and I just wanted to take it and throw it against a wall…
I was born in the 60′s, and while I would love for my kids to just
go out and play until the sun goes down the way I (and my friends)
used to…it just isn’t safe. We used to leave our doors unlocked-
can you do that today? I don’t have enough time in the day to be
able to spend all of that time outside with my boys (age 10 & 12).
They are not allowed to be out or to go anywhere alone…nothing
to do with trust…everything to do with safety. As for the
computer…at least I know where they are. Besides that, homework
is posted on the computer (yes, even at this age)…and many of the
assignments are done on the computer. They talk with friends that
way (I guess the phone has too many ‘akward silences’). So, I’m in favour of the computer with ‘time-limits’ in place.
sandy i mean nothing rude by this but if you haven’t seen the movie “no country for old men” go watch it. and the world is just as dangerous now as it always has been, the only thing that has changed is that people actually have a way of knowing about it, for instance say that a child was kidnapped say in new york. in the 50-70′s people in california wouldn’t know (or for that matter care) about it, if it happened today it would be on every front page, magazine cover, and news segment in the country.
i luv that muvi no country for old men its awsom n ur right jeff not so safe at all
you obviously don’t understand the point jeremy, overprotective parents keep their kids locked away inside because they are absolutely convinced that someone will kidnap them if they let them off the 2ft leash they’re on, they’d rather have their kids playing video games where no one can see them, hear them, talk to them, or even interact. YES i am aware that all three current mainline game consoles contain online gaming. But what you don’t understand is that all the above listed things are true ONLINE as well. the xbox and ps3 both contain parental controls that can limit: time the child can play, disable the voice AND video chat, make it so you must enter a password to approve them (for this to work you must NOT use the SAME password for everything), and restrict downloads and the rating of the games that can be played on consoles, and as a side note, whoever said that my generation (im 16, AND YES I DO HAVE A FACEBOOK, AND KNOW WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT) is a “waste” do you forget who RAISED US? yes that would be you.
as a second side note, i’m very computer savvy and know what i can and cant do with them, but the person complaining about pc’s crashing due to facebook viruses. heres a bright idea GET A MAC they don’t have viruses, and malware is Very easy to get rid of
facebook has an age limit. no way around it. it’s there for a reason. we need to stop making excuses for our children and ourselves.
Well someone sounds very negative….what wrong can you not figure out facebook. Or will none of your friends add you do to your negative outlook on life. Sorry to read such a sad comment….hopefully you can find good in life and yourself.
has nothing to do with negativity. the issue is age limit. the age limit is set at 13 for a reason and in order for a child under the age of 13 to become a member either parent lies, child lies or both lie. that’s the issue. no way around it. just making excuses for poor decision making and trying to cover it up with rationalizations. either way it is teaching a child bad habits.
It’s just like Myspace a few years ago. The only difference was, there was a lot of underage partial nudity and inappropriate things on there. The internet is full of sites that encourage sexuality and even promiscuity (Plentyoffish, for example.) If parents can be frank and “real” with their teenagers, Facebook is much safer than other sites out there.
Just like sex and violence on TV, it’s all about being put in a proper context.
If you want to ban Facebook use, make sure to take away their internet altogether, their TV, and their cell phones…oh and that nice boy down the street that hit puberty early.
I think that Facebook for an “underaged user” is okay, as long as the parents know what their kid is up to. This means having the computer in a public space and reviewing friends before adding them is absolutely mandatory. Parents should know their kids passwords for EVERYTHING, and if a problem arises, they can easily solve it with the click of a button. This doesn’t mean you have to be with your kid every step of the way, they have to find their own way of dealing with conflicts. But parents should be just as computer literate as their children. This is a problem with this generations parents. Many don’t know the difference between Yahoo! and Windows. And this is a problem that needs to be solved before horrible things begin to happen.
Besides, letting your child on Facebook isn’t the worst trouble. I mean, have you seen sites such as blogtv.com or bringvictory.com? These sites let anyone broadcast a live show online and let people comment real time, asking them to do things or asking them questions. Blogtv is bad because it has a “junior” section only for kids, which not only advertises that there are underaged children, but keep in mind anyone can sign up and say they’re “13 yrs ld, and i play soccer XD XD”.
So, that’s my rant.
well, marijuana use isn’t as bad as heroin so let em do it…..
OMG my mom is crying idk y im schared IM 8 and i dont know what to do plz some one tell me she is making me cry ( wipe tears )shes frecking out omg ahhhhhhh aaaaaaaahhhh can some one help me now plzzz shes crying on the couch and im schared shes yelling at me to get a life and move she just kicked me out of the house and no im not on a conputer im on my phone
really thats hat you come up with this is what i think of it PATHETIC!
go to a friends house sophiea2 she probaly saw you on face book right?
Where are you getting this idea? Are you trying to make kids go to juvie?