Facebook requires users to be at least 13, but kids are pretending to be older when signing up. Some worry this could be damaging to children's relationships and brains. You think:
we are subjected children to too much at such a young age stripping away from their innocence. when their minds haven't even begun to fully develop just being overloaded with such media and technology
The clubpenguin social network starts even early with kids under 13.
We need to embrace the fact that online socializing is a part of human interaction and needs to be taught and practiced at an early age when it can be monitored/guided. I would rather early adoption, early skepticism, early understanding of the difference in trusting and talking to people in person VS online.
I think that 13 years old is a good age. I myself am 13 and i do not think this just because I have and like Facebook. I think that is just a higher version of texting or talking on the phone which people can't always do especially since some kids do not have phones. You get to talk to people that you don't see such as relatives that live in a different place and brothers and sisters that go to college. Some kids aren't mature enough but hopefully those select student's parents know this and moniter their behavior on and off the computer. People act like there is no privacy on Facebook and MySpace but there is. There are many different settings you can choose to limit other people from seeing your page and whatever you do on the website. This society is getting more complex. Facebook has actually helped me become more social and to not care what people think about what I say on a post and then in person. Facebook and MySpace are just new ways of interacting and socializing but it mostly depends on your maturiy level and what your parents feel that you should be exposed to. And I do agree with the fact that some kids in this generation are exposed to more things than they should but Facebook and MySpace are not applications that highly encourage this.
I think that 13 is a good age allthough it might be better if they were older.It also depends on who the kid is chating with and what kind of conversations they keep with the people they talk to.It would also be better if they chat with people in their age level.
There are already too many predators online already letting 13 yr olds being able to register is like putting a whole bunch of sheep in front of a gang of wolves.
I think it'd be better to let kids online at an early age, because then their parents can be there too and teach them that everything isn't as it seems.
Its not good because their easily influenced into doing things. That makes it easier as some already said for predators to get them and encouarge them to do things of no purpose.
13 is too young to be on myspace because they are not aware of the danger from being on myspace.Some of these guys are crazy and post up other people pictures of themselves to attract young girls.I started out at 14 and still wasnt ready for myspace and how guys approach you on there. I think girls should wait intil they are atleast 16 or 17.
if people got a problem with this, parents in practicular- don't buy a computer!
I'm sorry to say, even if your poor Tammy or Johnny doesn't go on myspace, facebook, or any other website at home, they will do it at school-
but its not just facebook or myspace people should be worried about, its the internet as a WHOLE.
the internet is vast, and its very very very easy to lie on the internet, therefore more and more kids are discovering things like facebook and even porn in some cases simply because of popups, misled searches (type in the word kitten, you get more then cats, that's for sure), or out of their own curiosity (pervy friends, give them a dirty link).
If people want the problems to stop, i think getting rid of computers as a whole will fix this, cause no matter what- a kid will get a hold of it, if it's something that they want. But who in the hell wants to get rid of their computer?!?!
In a minute they'll just go Chinese government on us, and lock up all websites on everyones internet and only allow certain "healthy" things in- that's the only way i can see this epidemic ever ending.
BUT
its like they say, technology was the invention of the DEVIL.....mwhahahahahaha!!!
My brother is 12 and has a facebook that he got when he was 11. I am now 18 and facebook came out when I was 14. I think that kids should be required to be in high school in order to be on facebook. There is such a wide age difference in grades: some kids who are 13 are only in 7th grade while others can be in 9th grade. I think facebook before high school is not acceptable. I don't think that kids should be subjected to some of the things that show up on facebook. Like I said before, I'm 18 and even I don't like all the things I see on facebook. I don't want my 12 year old brother seeing these things as well.
I find it kinda funny how everyone here is ranting. Did you ever think for a second that you did this for your e-mail? and your accounts for websites? We all have done it.
And truely Facebook and twitter is Not dangerous. It is the least dangerous thing in the world. On the other hand Myspace is a little creppy. So put computer saftey or whatever to protect your children... if you dont trust them.
Just relax. when people act like this you wonder why kids go out of their way to rebel against you.
i agree with i.want.to.help !! im actualy 14 but i got facebook when i was 12 and i hav not had any trouble at all with it! in fact i lost my phone but i was aloud to keep facebook because my parents can keep a closer eye on me with facebook and twitter than they could on my phone! by having facebook i have actually matured alot AND kept in touch with my friends from camp that i wouldn't get to talk to otherwise! i think 13 is a good age for facebook, bebo,myspace, twitter, etc... all of them have filters and ways that parents can keep an eye on the activity of us kids!!!
i agree with i.want.to.help !! im actualy 14 but i got facebook when i was 12 and i hav not had any trouble at all with it! in fact i lost my phone but i was aloud to keep facebook because my parents can keep a closer eye on me with facebook and twitter than they could on my phone! by having facebook i have actually matured alot AND kept in touch with my friends from camp that i wouldn't get to talk to otherwise! i think 13 is a good age for facebook, bebo,myspace, twitter, etc... all of them have filters and ways that parents can keep an eye on the activity of us kids!!!
I completely agree with "kelseyboo" when I was that age I was very mature. But how many of those kids parents know that they are on Facebook or Myspace. ADULTS: take time to talk with your kids establish trust and keep up the communication! Get a FACEBOOK account or myspace make sure that you are their friend make that a requirement. Talk with your kids regularly!
ive had a facebook and myspace for about 2 years and im only 15 but i wish sometimes i didnt have one till now bc there is so much unwanted drama that goes on in these sites and they can be so hurtfull and actually ruin someones life litterally. but yes there are kids out there very mature but there are kids very immature and can be very hatefull you may not realize it now but later on in your life youll realize that its not the best thing and isnt your whole life.
13 years old is way to young. When you are 13 you are very impressionable, you do what you see and hear. 13 is too young to be on a social networking site where most people post inappropriate pictures and status and such, kids need to stays kids.
13 is too young. Lying about your age for an email account is one thing; email is quite private and no one can see it except you. But Facebook and MySpace is another thing. One of my friends has had a Facebook since 6th grade, and it is clearly affecting her. Before she got a Facebook, she was nice and we were quite good friends. She actualy called me once in a while, and we were able to talk about various things. Now, she is so aborbed in the drama of Facebook, that often times it seems like shes keeping secrets from me. I do not have a Facebook, but may have to get one soon. But, if I get one, I will not be telling my friend about it, as I do not want to be "one of them". Instead, I would use it strictly for activism. Please, don't get a Facebook or MySpace until you are older, no one needs to put up with the gossip and hate of young teens.
I don't see how a person's age has anything to do with it. If people want to use an online service, they will do it no matter what age minimums the services come up with. The only way to actually enforce it would be to require SSN, drivers license or credit card number on signup, which would go over like a lead balloon.
Sorry to all ageists out there, but kids and teenagers will be online and will be using the same services you are.
We are all people first and foremost and should look at that rather than at gender, race or age.
I'ts allot of unimaginable things posted on facebook as of today; thing like pictures of nude people and wide partying. moreso, stranger send friend request to another stranger and from there things started stringing up. If a 13 year old is exposed to things like these,i strongly believe it can affect his/her relationship and mind set.
i signed up for myspace when i was like 10.
i just hope kids are as smart as i was; only add friends, dont give out too much information, you're fine. i really think that parents are kind of over-exaggerating, but yes it is always possible for pedophiles to look at the page. there are also ways that you can GREATLY reduce that, though.
the way im thinking this should be done is push the age to 16 and call it done. it shouldn't have to be a war to see how old you can make yourself look, its wrong and it is also away to get older people into trouble. what if i say im 18 and a 23 year old says they wanna take me on a date, the we end up doing it? Rape? Child milestation? hello retaerds open your eyes and relize what your doing is illegal, you could go down for identity theft, imperssinating other person. Watch how you do things guys.
I really do not know what to think on this issue. Kids that are really young see a lot of things that happen on social network when they watch tv, a movie, or just by being with older siblings.
Comments
we are subjected children to too much at such a young age stripping away from their innocence. when their minds haven't even begun to fully develop just being overloaded with such media and technology
The clubpenguin social network starts even early with kids under 13.
We need to embrace the fact that online socializing is a part of human interaction and needs to be taught and practiced at an early age when it can be monitored/guided. I would rather early adoption, early skepticism, early understanding of the difference in trusting and talking to people in person VS online.
Some kids can be responsible on the internet and some can. Some children are more mature than others.
I think that 13 years old is a good age. I myself am 13 and i do not think this just because I have and like Facebook. I think that is just a higher version of texting or talking on the phone which people can't always do especially since some kids do not have phones. You get to talk to people that you don't see such as relatives that live in a different place and brothers and sisters that go to college. Some kids aren't mature enough but hopefully those select student's parents know this and moniter their behavior on and off the computer. People act like there is no privacy on Facebook and MySpace but there is. There are many different settings you can choose to limit other people from seeing your page and whatever you do on the website. This society is getting more complex. Facebook has actually helped me become more social and to not care what people think about what I say on a post and then in person. Facebook and MySpace are just new ways of interacting and socializing but it mostly depends on your maturiy level and what your parents feel that you should be exposed to. And I do agree with the fact that some kids in this generation are exposed to more things than they should but Facebook and MySpace are not applications that highly encourage this.
I think that 13 is a good age allthough it might be better if they were older.It also depends on who the kid is chating with and what kind of conversations they keep with the people they talk to.It would also be better if they chat with people in their age level.
There are already too many predators online already letting 13 yr olds being able to register is like putting a whole bunch of sheep in front of a gang of wolves.
I think it'd be better to let kids online at an early age, because then their parents can be there too and teach them that everything isn't as it seems.
Its not good because their easily influenced into doing things. That makes it easier as some already said for predators to get them and encouarge them to do things of no purpose.
13 is too young to be on myspace because they are not aware of the danger from being on myspace.Some of these guys are crazy and post up other people pictures of themselves to attract young girls.I started out at 14 and still wasnt ready for myspace and how guys approach you on there. I think girls should wait intil they are atleast 16 or 17.
if people got a problem with this, parents in practicular- don't buy a computer!
I'm sorry to say, even if your poor Tammy or Johnny doesn't go on myspace, facebook, or any other website at home, they will do it at school-
but its not just facebook or myspace people should be worried about, its the internet as a WHOLE.
the internet is vast, and its very very very easy to lie on the internet, therefore more and more kids are discovering things like facebook and even porn in some cases simply because of popups, misled searches (type in the word kitten, you get more then cats, that's for sure), or out of their own curiosity (pervy friends, give them a dirty link).
If people want the problems to stop, i think getting rid of computers as a whole will fix this, cause no matter what- a kid will get a hold of it, if it's something that they want. But who in the hell wants to get rid of their computer?!?!
In a minute they'll just go Chinese government on us, and lock up all websites on everyones internet and only allow certain "healthy" things in- that's the only way i can see this epidemic ever ending.
BUT
its like they say, technology was the invention of the DEVIL.....mwhahahahahaha!!!
My brother is 12 and has a facebook that he got when he was 11. I am now 18 and facebook came out when I was 14. I think that kids should be required to be in high school in order to be on facebook. There is such a wide age difference in grades: some kids who are 13 are only in 7th grade while others can be in 9th grade. I think facebook before high school is not acceptable. I don't think that kids should be subjected to some of the things that show up on facebook. Like I said before, I'm 18 and even I don't like all the things I see on facebook. I don't want my 12 year old brother seeing these things as well.
it is very dangerous for kids at that age to be on websites like that i am 17 and i dont even have myspace,twiiter or facebook because it is dangerous
I find it kinda funny how everyone here is ranting. Did you ever think for a second that you did this for your e-mail? and your accounts for websites? We all have done it.
And truely Facebook and twitter is Not dangerous. It is the least dangerous thing in the world. On the other hand Myspace is a little creppy. So put computer saftey or whatever to protect your children... if you dont trust them.
Just relax. when people act like this you wonder why kids go out of their way to rebel against you.
"Dont worry. Be happy."
i agree with i.want.to.help !! im actualy 14 but i got facebook when i was 12 and i hav not had any trouble at all with it! in fact i lost my phone but i was aloud to keep facebook because my parents can keep a closer eye on me with facebook and twitter than they could on my phone! by having facebook i have actually matured alot AND kept in touch with my friends from camp that i wouldn't get to talk to otherwise! i think 13 is a good age for facebook, bebo,myspace, twitter, etc... all of them have filters and ways that parents can keep an eye on the activity of us kids!!!
i agree with i.want.to.help !! im actualy 14 but i got facebook when i was 12 and i hav not had any trouble at all with it! in fact i lost my phone but i was aloud to keep facebook because my parents can keep a closer eye on me with facebook and twitter than they could on my phone! by having facebook i have actually matured alot AND kept in touch with my friends from camp that i wouldn't get to talk to otherwise! i think 13 is a good age for facebook, bebo,myspace, twitter, etc... all of them have filters and ways that parents can keep an eye on the activity of us kids!!!
I am 13 years old, and I do not think I'm too young. I am far more mature than kids my age.
I completely agree with "kelseyboo" when I was that age I was very mature. But how many of those kids parents know that they are on Facebook or Myspace. ADULTS: take time to talk with your kids establish trust and keep up the communication! Get a FACEBOOK account or myspace make sure that you are their friend make that a requirement. Talk with your kids regularly!
ive had a facebook and myspace for about 2 years and im only 15 but i wish sometimes i didnt have one till now bc there is so much unwanted drama that goes on in these sites and they can be so hurtfull and actually ruin someones life litterally. but yes there are kids out there very mature but there are kids very immature and can be very hatefull you may not realize it now but later on in your life youll realize that its not the best thing and isnt your whole life.
13 years old is way to young. When you are 13 you are very impressionable, you do what you see and hear. 13 is too young to be on a social networking site where most people post inappropriate pictures and status and such, kids need to stays kids.
13 is too young. Lying about your age for an email account is one thing; email is quite private and no one can see it except you. But Facebook and MySpace is another thing. One of my friends has had a Facebook since 6th grade, and it is clearly affecting her. Before she got a Facebook, she was nice and we were quite good friends. She actualy called me once in a while, and we were able to talk about various things. Now, she is so aborbed in the drama of Facebook, that often times it seems like shes keeping secrets from me. I do not have a Facebook, but may have to get one soon. But, if I get one, I will not be telling my friend about it, as I do not want to be "one of them". Instead, I would use it strictly for activism. Please, don't get a Facebook or MySpace until you are older, no one needs to put up with the gossip and hate of young teens.
I don't see how a person's age has anything to do with it. If people want to use an online service, they will do it no matter what age minimums the services come up with. The only way to actually enforce it would be to require SSN, drivers license or credit card number on signup, which would go over like a lead balloon.
Sorry to all ageists out there, but kids and teenagers will be online and will be using the same services you are.
We are all people first and foremost and should look at that rather than at gender, race or age.
I think 13 is to young. 15 is a better age and who needs facebook or myspace at age 13 :)
I think that getting facebook at 13 is very unecessary. I mean it's ok to get it at 16 or 17, but 13? That's just way too young.
I'm 13 myself and i don't care much about Facebook.
I'ts allot of unimaginable things posted on facebook as of today; thing like pictures of nude people and wide partying. moreso, stranger send friend request to another stranger and from there things started stringing up. If a 13 year old is exposed to things like these,i strongly believe it can affect his/her relationship and mind set.
i signed up for myspace when i was like 10.
i just hope kids are as smart as i was; only add friends, dont give out too much information, you're fine. i really think that parents are kind of over-exaggerating, but yes it is always possible for pedophiles to look at the page. there are also ways that you can GREATLY reduce that, though.
the way im thinking this should be done is push the age to 16 and call it done. it shouldn't have to be a war to see how old you can make yourself look, its wrong and it is also away to get older people into trouble. what if i say im 18 and a 23 year old says they wanna take me on a date, the we end up doing it? Rape? Child milestation? hello retaerds open your eyes and relize what your doing is illegal, you could go down for identity theft, imperssinating other person. Watch how you do things guys.
hello, im natnan and i wanna say that i agree with your comment.
I really do not know what to think on this issue. Kids that are really young see a lot of things that happen on social network when they watch tv, a movie, or just by being with older siblings.
Lol i pretended to be older to get on facebook. no biggie