How young is too young for Facebook?
By rowantree
@rowantree (1186)
United States
November 9, 2009 6:39am CST
I have a Facebook account, like a lot of other adults that I know. Today I received a friend suggestion from one of my friends. She wants me to "friend" her son.
Her son is in 3rd grade. He's 9 years old. He's an acquaintance of my son.
My son does not have a Facebook account and he's not getting one until he's much older. By then I'm sure something new will have come along to replace Facebook. lol
There's a lot of things that a 9 year old boy could see on my page that are highly inappropriate. I'm not saying that my page is inappropriate, I keep it clean, no cussing, etc. However during some discussions on Facebook, there are things that are said that children shouldn't be reading. After all, this is an adult's page with other adults on that page.
Why would a parent want her young child to be exposed to this type of thing? Why would a parent allow her young child to create an account? I just don't understand this.
I am torn between messaging her and asking her these questions and simply ignoring the friends suggestion. I'm pretty sure if I point out to her that her son shouldn't be on Facebook, she will get upset.
Do you have a Facebook account? Have you ever had a friends request or suggestion from a child?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@laglen (19759)
• United States
9 Nov 09
I do have a facebook. The sole purpose is to monitor what my daughter (15) is doing. I do believe that facebook was created for kids. I wold not tell the mother your views, just ignore the request. I have all of my daughters friends as friends, this way I can see what is going on. If this mother is ok with her son having an account, then you should leave it alone.
@rowantree (1186)
• United States
10 Nov 09
Thank you, Laglen. The minimum age requirement for Facebook is 13 and it was originally created as a networking site for adults only. I've found it is a great way to stay in contact with your friends so I do understand why kids use it. I just feel 9 years old is much too young. I've ignored the request and hopefully the mother doesn't bring it up again.
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
20 Jun 10
Ok cool. There is a limit. Guess I should've read this before I posted. Like I said earlier, I think 13 is appropriate. But I do agree with laglen in watching her daughter. Most kids aren't gonna do bad anything anyway.
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
20 Jun 10
There definitely is things on Facebook that kids shouldn't see; not to mention that there is always the chance of online predators. I actually used to think that Facebook did have an age limit, since yahoo does..or at least did..I'm not sure anymore, but then I'm always hearing about really young kids with accounts. Does Facebook just not have an age restriction or do kids just lie about their age or can you get one with parents consent? Darn, now I'm curious.
Anyways, I think that the age really should just be decided by the parents. I think that 13 should probably be the youngest and still I think it all depends on the individual maturity of the child.
I don't believe I've ever received a friend request from anyone under about 15.
I know that they do have social networking sites designed specifically for kids, so they probably wouldn't see anything bad on there, but there's still the chance of creeps pretending to be kids.
I love the internet, but there are definitely a lot of dangers to be aware of. If parents are responsible and teach their children to be, then it can be safe.
