I was really hoping to delay this at least another year, preferably 2, when Cam would be in middle school.
He’s really wanting a facebook page. NOW.
He hasn’t really bothered much about it, just saying how he couldn’t wait to get onto facebook, knowing it would be some time before he was allowed to participate in this particular social network.
However – several of his friends have recently been allowed to create their own facebook profiles, so his desire to have own has grown over the past week or so.
Last year I created a page for Cuyler. The sole purpose was for to him to take his own pictures with the webcam. He had no info on it and no friends.
Basically it was to avoid my profile pictures suddenly appearing as this:
as they had countless times. He was given a place where he could easily play with the webcam and we had full control over the page.
Now that Cam’s friends are on facebook I’ve noticed that Cuyler’s page has suddenly gotten a life of it’s own. Apparently Cuy attended high school. And Sheridan College.
There are some new friends on it as of this week. Courtesy of his big brother…
There are some new friends on it as of this week. Courtesy of his big brother…
Cam will be 10 in April. I think he’s too young for facebook. I don’t like that he’d rather spend more time on facebook than playing the more age appropriate games he usually plays.
I think facebook is a more appropriate forum for teens and adults. Not children. He’s still a child.
I hate that I feel like I need to let him have a profile because all of his friends do.
I hate that I feel like he’s being “left behind” if he’s the only one without facebook.
I hate that I feel like he’s being “left behind” if he’s the only one without facebook.
Ugh. The perils of peer pressure.
So tell me. Am I being too protective?
What would you do?
Do your children have facebook profiles? What age do you think is an appropriate age for facebook?
What would you do?
Do your children have facebook profiles? What age do you think is an appropriate age for facebook?
I will admit that when I first starting using facebook about 4 years ago – I was hooked! Everyday new friends were popping up and it was the novelty of something new. And something fascinating. Then the novelty wore off.
I try and keep off the computer when the kids are home and go on it when they’re at school or in bed. I find that the computer is the worst thing I can let my 8 year old with autism play on. He becomes incredibly static and we can’t get him off without a big fight, so we try and hide the laptop when the kids are around. He gets about 30 minutes every other day on it.
I find a lot of interesting and important discussions are now taking place on the internet. It’s just a sign of the technological times.
After reading the rest of the comments I have to wonder, how much time do you all spend in front of the computer? The ‘trend’ of kids wanting to be on facebook no doubt stems from seeing their parents using it.
I find it mildly amusing and ironic that this discussion takes place on an internet forum….:)
My daughter is 13. She has facebook, as do all the kids in her class (sans 1). She has many restriction and we monitor it closely–I wouldn’t be comfortable if we didn’t. That being said, we had to lie about her birthday when we signed her up as facebook requires that you be 15 to have an account.
I think 10 is too young for facebook…a lot of things kids could see/pick up there. It could be a major distraction as well-there are a lot of games using third-party apps that collect your kids’ photos and information.
10 is too young for a lot of things. Peer pressure isn’t only during the teens anymore..kids as young as 6 or 7 have ipods and phones. Wouldn’t want that for my own kid.
My 10-year-old does not have a Facebook profile, nor does she have a cellphone (even though “all” her friends do -according to her). I just authorized her permissions on Club Penquin to up (down?)-grade from “Ultimate Safe Chat” (they can only use pre-selected greetings and questions) to “Standard Safe Chat” (they can type in their own text, but it is screened for content). She’s only allowed to accept friendships from people she knows in real life (she has to know the Penquin’s name). This gives her a little freedom to chat online with her friends outside of school and her cousins overseas without it being out there for the world to see.
My oldest daughter is the same age. If it makes you feel any better I have said an unequivocal NO. No to facebook, no to an email address. Childhood is too valuable to waste in front of a computer screen. I haven’t given her an age when it will be ok, and don’t intend to. Don’t care if I’m the mean mum. Don’t care what all the friends are doing. That in itself is a lesson.
Kim laid it out well-excellent points
my daughters 14 and 16 just got their first cellphones
facebook after 13 in both cases
they have to ask me before they go on ( likely not always happening but maybe…)
I say facebook is after sports, extracurricular, dishes, live interaction with other human beings (imagine), homework and hygiene (showers!) – there is rarely time for it.
the parent creates the rules and the culture esp before the teen years. Choose your battles- if this is an issue for you then forbid it for now.
He will not suffer! and may thank you for it
not overprotective. You’re being a good mom. Tough situation, especially if his friends are on it.
I love Kim said- can I just add- go with your gut.
If my 10 year old asked, my answer would not be just no, but “HECK NO.” I’m fine with waiting until Facebook’s stipulated age of 13, or even later. I really don’t get the latest trend of kids being on there. All I can think is. . .why???
Kimmy – you are a wise woman.
And I didn’t even mention cell phones yet…about a dozen of his friends have cell phone. At 9yrs old!!
Just you wait Grumble…Oliver will be 9 in two years.
The peer pressure is not on the kids – it’s on the parents to be like the other, more permissive parents.
Gah.
Forgot to add…
IMO too young for the intended purpose of socially interacting. A lot of game playing at this stage/age and potential for “bad” downloading/virus can happen form all the “likes” etc…. plus exposure to kids whose parents are not as mindful as you are. 😉
1. it’s your decision
2. facebook age is restricted to 13 and over
3. give him the rules up front.
4. monitor him on the site
5. have HIS password so you can get in
6. YOU WILL remain on his friends list.
7. NOTHING is private on FB…Nothing…EVER. 😉
Hope some of these guidelines help.
Oh lady… my oldest is only seven, so we’re not there yet. But, I think you’re right – my gut says that’s too young still… like, whoa. But I know how that peer pressure goes. Glad not to be in your shoes (yet.) Poo.