Children are flocking to social networks

[Patchy]

More than a quarter of eight to 11-year-olds who are online in the UK have a profile on a social network, research shows.

Most sites, such as Bebo, MySpace and Facebook, set a minimum age of between 13 and 14 to create a profile but none actively enforce the age limit.

Ofcom's survey of 5,000 adults and 3,000 children found 49% of those aged between eight and 17 have a profile.

Ofcom says parents need to keep an eye on what their children do online.

Here Is The Survey Results

49% of children 8-17 have an online profile

22% of 16+ have an online profile

63% of 8 to 17-year-olds with a profile use Bebo

37% of 8 to 17-year-olds with profile use MySpace

18% of 8 to 17-year-olds with a profile use Facebook

59% of 8 to 17-year-olds use social networks to make new friends

16% of parents do not know if their child's profile is visible to all

33% of parents say they set no rules for their children's use of social networks

43% of children say their parents set no rules for use of social networks

Sources: BBC News and OFCOM (regulator of UK communications industries)

[JoshDude]

Yeah, under 13 is definetly too early to be on myspace etc. I think myspace requires you to be 16, which is fine, but under 13 imo is too young.