While 13 is the minimum age needed to set up a Facebook account, lots of kids under this age established accounts on Facebook and other social networks by entering in false date of birth information.
How Old To Be On Facebook
Social network has actually been proven to play an important function in mentor children life skills for the digital age. Moms and dads can assist their pre-teens obtain important eSafety skills by being actively included with their internet usage on social networking sites that are solely for younger children, such as Kidz World, Your Sphere, Togetherville and ScuttlePad.
But for pre-teens, Facebook just isn't appropriate.
If you're on the fence about assisting your pre-teen established a Facebook account, here are some compelling reasons that pre-teens should not be on Facebook.
Assisting your pre-teen develop a Facebook account is helping them lie about their age.
Not just are you teaching your child that you believe it's alright to tell a lie, you will be setting a dangerous precedent about which rules are "ok" to break.
The minimum age requirement remains in location since Facebook wants to keep kids safe.
"We take safety really, very seriously and believe that educating moms and dads about protecting their kids online is as essential about talking with kids about not opening the door to strangers or looking both ways prior to crossing the street," said Maureen O'Hara, Facebook-Corporate Communications.
If you teach your child that it is all right to lie about their date of birth to gain access to Facebook, then they could well think that it's fine to lie about their age to gain access to other sites that are not suitable for children. Teaching your child about the best ways to be safe online involves mentor children to regard age-restrictions on sites.
Facebook exposes kids to adult content.
The minimum age of 13 was
deliberately set as a way to safeguard pre-teens from adult material. Most of Facebook's users are older teens and adults who may post suggestive pictures or utilize improper language for your under-13 kid to see.
Kids-focused social networking sites are a safe way for kids to be on a social network without the risk of them seeing improper content.
Secure your kids from cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying can have very devastating outcomes for kids of any age, but is especially ravaging for kids in the 6-12 age variety. Kids at this age take words very literally and receive criticism more personally. Integrated with the permanence of Facebook material, pre-teens might be considerably impacted by taking harsh words very personally in addition to dealing with content, like images, that live forever online.
Once again, informing kids about cyberbullying and revealing them healthy methods to respond if they or somebody they understand are being bullied online will use a strong structure for when they do get on Facebook and other social networking sites.
Facebook for pre-teens can contribute to youth weight problems.
Young kids have to remain active with disorganized play, outdoor time, and plenty of in person interactions with other kids. Hanging out on Facebook and other online activities interferes with this active location and might unlock to a more inactive way of life, adding to childhood weight problems.
Furthermore, scientists at Columbia University recently discovered that using Facebook may be connected to obesity, for children and adults, due to the negative eating practices that might result from frequent visitation of social networking websites.
How Old To Be On Facebook, So till children reach the age of 13, it's finest for them to stay off Facebook and discover how to be safe and make wise choices online in other ways.