Parenting: 4 & 5-Year-Olds Community
Your preschooler or kindergartener is now off to school and presenting all ... more
Facebook for kids under 13?
Haylen_WebMD_Staff posted:
From the Wall Street Journal - what do you think? My kids will NOT be on facebook, thank you very much!
Haylen
Facebook Inc. is developing technology that would allow children younger than 13 years old to use the social-networking site under parental supervision , a step that could help the company tap a new pool of users for revenue but also inflame privacy concerns.
Mechanisms being tested include connecting children's accounts to their parents' and controls that would allow parents to decide whom their kids can "friend" and what applications they can use, people who have spoken with Facebook executives about the technology said. The under-13 features could enable Facebook and its partners to charge parents for games and other entertainment accessed ...
Haylen
Facebook Inc. is developing technology that would allow children younger than 13 years old to use the social-networking site under parental supervision , a step that could help the company tap a new pool of users for revenue but also inflame privacy concerns.
Mechanisms being tested include connecting children's accounts to their parents' and controls that would allow parents to decide whom their kids can "friend" and what applications they can use, people who have spoken with Facebook executives about the technology said. The under-13 features could enable Facebook and its partners to charge parents for games and other entertainment accessed ...
9 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Facebook for kids under 13?From the Wall Street Journal - what do you think? My kids will NOT be on facebook, thank you very much! <br /><br />Haylen<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303506404577444711741019238.html">Facebook Inc. is developing technology that would allow children younger than 13 years old to use the social-networking site under parental supervision</a> , a step that could help the company tap a new pool of users for revenue but also inflame privacy concerns.<br /><br />Mechanisms being tested include connecting children's accounts to their parents' and controls that would allow parents to decide whom their kids can "friend" and what applications they can use, people who have spoken with Facebook executives about the technology said. The under-13 features could enable Facebook and its partners to charge parents for games and other entertainment accessed ...
VicsEandJ responded:
I am not on Facebook, so I would never let my young child do it. There are enough issues with growing up than dealing with cyberspace when you are still figuring out who YOU are. Plus too many peolep today have no idea what about themselves is inappropriate to shre withthe world!
But Facebook needs something after the less than stellar IP and most parents don't have the guts to tell their children 'no' if everyone else is letting their kids do it- so soon infants and toddlers will have their own accounts.
ABSURD!!
But Facebook needs something after the less than stellar IP and most parents don't have the guts to tell their children 'no' if everyone else is letting their kids do it- so soon infants and toddlers will have their own accounts.
ABSURD!!
Report This| Share this:Facebook for kids under 13?I am not on Facebook, so I would never let my young child do it. There are enough issues with growing up than dealing with cyberspace when you are still figuring out who YOU are. Plus too many peolep today have no idea what about themselves is inappropriate to shre withthe world! <br /> <br /> <br />But Facebook needs something after the less than stellar IP and most parents don't have the guts to tell their children 'no' if everyone else is letting their kids do it- so soon infants and toddlers will have their own accounts.<br /><br />ABSURD!!
Baby1at35 responded:
Never ! I do not need one more technolgy item to fight over and I will probably no let them on a social network thing until at least 16 ...yes I know .
But I am sure in 10 yrs it will be a whole new ball game of stuff !
But I am sure in 10 yrs it will be a whole new ball game of stuff !
Me (42) 2 busy boys 6 yrs and 5 yrs
Report This| Share this:Facebook for kids under 13?Never ! I do not need one more technolgy item to fight over and I will probably no let them on a social network thing until at least 16 ...yes I know . <br />But I am sure in 10 yrs it will be a whole new ball game of stuff !
An_240941 responded:
I don't like facebook and I don't have an account so I wouldn't let my kids have an account. I find the whole thing stupid to be honest. Children don't have enough personal interaction with their peers anymore...their friendships are all maintained over the internet. I'm so not ok with that. If my child has a friend and they want to go hand out with that friend then they better go outside and actually hang out rather then sending texts, and e-mails, or messages on facebook, or whatever else. That is not hanging out and it is not friendship. Not to mention my kids do not need to be putting their whole little life story or that of our families across the world wide web, and that includes the simple things such as what their favorite band is. Then of course there is the safety and security issues and the "online bullying" (which I have to say is stupid pansy crap! What happened to when they had real bullies? Now instead of worrying if our kids are going to get a black eye from the school bully we have to worry about if they will kill themselves because they were picked on over the internet? Where is the sense or logic in that?)...no thank you but my kids will not participate in "online social networking".
Report This| Share this:Facebook for kids under 13?I don't like facebook and I don't have an account so I wouldn't let my kids have an account. I find the whole thing stupid to be honest. Children don't have enough personal interaction with their peers anymore...their friendships are all maintained over the internet. I'm so not ok with that. If my child has a friend and they want to go hand out with that friend then they better go outside and actually hang out rather then sending texts, and e-mails, or messages on facebook, or whatever else. That is not hanging out and it is not friendship. Not to mention my kids do not need to be putting their whole little life story or that of our families across the world wide web, and that includes the simple things such as what their favorite band is. Then of course there is the safety and security issues and the "online bullying" (which I have to say is stupid pansy crap! What happened to when they had real bullies? Now instead of worrying if our kids are going to get a black eye from the school bully we have to worry about if they will kill themselves because they were picked on over the internet? Where is the sense or logic in that?)...no thank you but my kids will not participate in "online social networking".
Iocasta responded:
DH and I aren't Facebook people. Levi has his own ipad with internet access but we have kept tight controls on it so far. Of course, as he gets older that will be more difficult but not impossible. I'm not going really worry about what Facebook is doing now because who knows what things will be when Levi really does become interested in social networking on the internet. Right now, he is focused on when the next time his friends can come over to play.
Report This| Share this:Facebook for kids under 13?DH and I aren't Facebook people. Levi has his own ipad with internet access but we have kept tight controls on it so far. Of course, as he gets older that will be more difficult but not impossible. I'm not going really worry about what Facebook is doing now because who knows what things will be when Levi really does become interested in social networking on the internet. Right now, he is focused on when the next time his friends can come over to play.
sarah0323 responded:
My oldest has a FB account. She got it when she was 11. At first I was so mad about it. A friends mom helped her set it up. She lied about her age to get it. When I found out I was livid. Wouldn't even let her touch a computer for a few weeks. Then when I got over being mad about it and we had a discussion about why she wanted it. I learned alot. This is another tool that many of the teachers use. I'm not saying I agree with it but it is the way of life now days. Once the kids enter the 6th grade here they are given a laptop to use at school.
We set ground rules that she has to follow. There are things that she has done that I don't agree with and when these things happen we talk about them. The other day she "liked" a picture when the picture showed up on my wall I didn't like it. When I asked her to unlike the picture we talked about why I thought the picture was inappropriate.
I actually wish they had a better avenue for a younger users access. I may be in the minority but this is a real fact of life. Technology and all it has to offer (good and bad) are part of our children's daily lives. If we don't teach them now what is going to happen when they get older?
We set ground rules that she has to follow. There are things that she has done that I don't agree with and when these things happen we talk about them. The other day she "liked" a picture when the picture showed up on my wall I didn't like it. When I asked her to unlike the picture we talked about why I thought the picture was inappropriate.
I actually wish they had a better avenue for a younger users access. I may be in the minority but this is a real fact of life. Technology and all it has to offer (good and bad) are part of our children's daily lives. If we don't teach them now what is going to happen when they get older?
Me 33, DD - O 12, DS1 -J 7, DS2 - Cr 6, DS3 - Co 4, DD2 - E (11/10)
Report This| Share this:Facebook for kids under 13?My oldest has a FB account. She got it when she was 11. At first I was so mad about it. A friends mom helped her set it up. She lied about her age to get it. When I found out I was livid. Wouldn't even let her touch a computer for a few weeks. Then when I got over being mad about it and we had a discussion about why she wanted it. I learned alot. This is another tool that many of the teachers use. I'm not saying I agree with it but it is the way of life now days. Once the kids enter the 6th grade here they are given a laptop to use at school. <br /> <br />We set ground rules that she has to follow. There are things that she has done that I don't agree with and when these things happen we talk about them. The other day she "liked" a picture when the picture showed up on my wall I didn't like it. When I asked her to unlike the picture we talked about why I thought the picture was inappropriate. <br /> <br />I actually wish they had a better avenue for a younger users access. I may be in the minority but this is a real fact of life. Technology and all it has to offer (good and bad) are part of our children's daily lives. If we don't teach them now what is going to happen when they get older?
Sorry, but I think your argument is the problem and why Facebook will explode with young users soon. Teaching them now about what is going to happen when they get older is not the same as letting a young child have an account on facebook.
Your argument is the same as condoning your 10 year old actually having sex or drinking because they need to know about it later. Obviously all kids who are not trapped in the house with no peer interaction will know about facebook and the internet and learn about technology in home and in school, it doesn't mean that they should be exposed to all of it before they are really mature enough to handle it.
I honestly can't see how letting a pre-teeen be exposed to all of the negative aspects of social networking is a good idea. People tend to say and do things even meaner than in real life because they don't have to say things to your face. To me, it's too much for young kids to handle- they are not emotionally mature enough for it- even if everyone else is doing it.
Your argument is the same as condoning your 10 year old actually having sex or drinking because they need to know about it later. Obviously all kids who are not trapped in the house with no peer interaction will know about facebook and the internet and learn about technology in home and in school, it doesn't mean that they should be exposed to all of it before they are really mature enough to handle it.
I honestly can't see how letting a pre-teeen be exposed to all of the negative aspects of social networking is a good idea. People tend to say and do things even meaner than in real life because they don't have to say things to your face. To me, it's too much for young kids to handle- they are not emotionally mature enough for it- even if everyone else is doing it.
Report This| Share this:Facebook for kids under 13?Sorry, but I think your argument is the problem and why Facebook will explode with young users soon. Teaching them now about what is going to happen when they get older is not the same as letting a young child have an account on facebook.<br /> <br />Your argument is the same as condoning your 10 year old actually having sex or drinking because they need to know about it later. Obviously all kids who are not trapped in the house with no peer interaction will know about facebook and the internet and learn about technology in home and in school, it doesn't mean that they should be exposed to all of it before they are really mature enough to handle it. <br /> <br />I honestly can't see how letting a pre-teeen be exposed to all of the negative aspects of social networking is a good idea. People tend to say and do things even meaner than in real life because they don't have to say things to your face. To me, it's too much for young kids to handle- they are not emotionally mature enough for it- even if everyone else is doing it.
Vics-sometimes I am not emotionally mature enough to handle things said on facebook 
I agree with that statement. I know we cannot shelter kids from it all but teach how to deal with it. Like pp said people will say things on line they would never say in real life.
Also think reality tv is the same thing. they want drama/fighting/meaness to make a show. I turned it to NY housewives show last night lasted 10 mins watching and couldn't stand it. Crazyness....
I agree with that statement. I know we cannot shelter kids from it all but teach how to deal with it. Like pp said people will say things on line they would never say in real life.
Also think reality tv is the same thing. they want drama/fighting/meaness to make a show. I turned it to NY housewives show last night lasted 10 mins watching and couldn't stand it. Crazyness....
Me (42) 2 busy boys 6 yrs and 5 yrs
Report This| Share this:Facebook for kids under 13?Vics-sometimes I am not emotionally mature enough to handle things said on facebook <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/pbpt.gif" align="top" border="0"><br />I agree with that statement. I know we cannot shelter kids from it all but teach how to deal with it. Like pp said people will say things on line they would never say in real life. <br />Also think reality tv is the same thing. they want drama/fighting/meaness to make a show. I turned it to NY housewives show last night lasted 10 mins watching and couldn't stand it. Crazyness....
MrsWhiteCastle responded:
Nope. No Facebook here. DH and I don't use it, so there is no way I would let DDs have an account. I don't really understand the point of it.
I've heard too many stories on the local news of teachers getting into trouble when they are on Facebook with their students. So, I wouldn't allow DDs to get an account so they could do schoolwork, either.
I've heard too many stories on the local news of teachers getting into trouble when they are on Facebook with their students. So, I wouldn't allow DDs to get an account so they could do schoolwork, either.
Emily (7) Elizabeth (5)
Report This| Share this:Facebook for kids under 13?Nope. No Facebook here. DH and I don't use it, so there is no way I would let DDs have an account. I don't really understand the point of it.<br /> <br />I've heard too many stories on the local news of teachers getting into trouble when they are on Facebook with their students. So, I wouldn't allow DDs to get an account so they could do schoolwork, either.
Iocasta replied to MrsWhiteCastle's response:
IMHO, teachers have absolutely no business communicating with students via Facebook. If they want to post assignments or discuss classroom related things, they should do so through the school's webpage, where all parents and all students can access what is being assigned and said.
I'm not sticking my head in the sand with respect to computer and internet technology. As with other things in life, there is a time and place. Levi goes to a school that provides 3-5 yr olds with ipads, all other students have lap tops with 3rd grade up have lap tops to take home that have remote access to in classroom teaching, so kids who are at home sick can still participate if they feel up to it. He will be more internet savvy than I will be and he doesn't need access to Facebook to do this. Now I am not stupid enough to think that he won't try to set up a Facebook account or what ever is in vouge when he gets of age. My job as a parent is to shut it down and discuss with him why it isn't the time and place and not just throw up my hands and say oh well you can't stem the tide. (Sorry for the run-on sentence)
I'm not sticking my head in the sand with respect to computer and internet technology. As with other things in life, there is a time and place. Levi goes to a school that provides 3-5 yr olds with ipads, all other students have lap tops with 3rd grade up have lap tops to take home that have remote access to in classroom teaching, so kids who are at home sick can still participate if they feel up to it. He will be more internet savvy than I will be and he doesn't need access to Facebook to do this. Now I am not stupid enough to think that he won't try to set up a Facebook account or what ever is in vouge when he gets of age. My job as a parent is to shut it down and discuss with him why it isn't the time and place and not just throw up my hands and say oh well you can't stem the tide. (Sorry for the run-on sentence)
Report This| Share this:Facebook for kids under 13?IMHO, teachers have absolutely no business communicating with students via Facebook. If they want to post assignments or discuss classroom related things, they should do so through the school's webpage, where all parents and all students can access what is being assigned and said.<br /> <br />I'm not sticking my head in the sand with respect to computer and internet technology. As with other things in life, there is a time and place. Levi goes to a school that provides 3-5 yr olds with ipads, all other students have lap tops with 3rd grade up have lap tops to take home that have remote access to in classroom teaching, so kids who are at home sick can still participate if they feel up to it. He will be more internet savvy than I will be and he doesn't need access to Facebook to do this. Now I am not stupid enough to think that he won't try to set up a Facebook account or what ever is in vouge when he gets of age. My job as a parent is to shut it down and discuss with him why it isn't the time and place and not just throw up my hands and say oh well you can't stem the tide. (Sorry for the run-on sentence)
Spotlight: Member Stories
I am a stay at home mom of two boys, Travis (4-19-05) and Skyler (12-15-06). I've known my DH Joel since 11-23-01 and were married 5-19-05.
Helpful Tips
If you don't vaccinate your child due to fears of autism, read this:
If you don't vaccinate your child due to fears of autism, read this: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2011/01/05/autism-vaccine.html I ... More
Was this Helpful?
14
of
22 found this helpful
Helpful Resources
Related News
Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other Member Communities
- Dieting Club: 10 - 25 Lbs Member Community Share Your Tips and Support!
- Caregiving Member Community The Support and Understanding You Need!
- Parenting Friends Talking Member Community Get Support from Members Like You!
-
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
About WebMD Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy Site Map Careers Contact Us
First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record WebMD Mobile Newsletters Dictionary Physician Directory
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.