What is with kids (12 and younger) having Facebook accounts?

[Solace]

Facebook has a rule requiring you to be 13, but little kids often lie about their age. Seriously, even my little brother has had one since he was like 6 years old. And his friend from school was talking about how he has one too. My neighbor's kid has one and he's like 9. There's no reason a 9 year old needs a Facebook account, plus they could get stalked by a pedophile. They don't even have social lives yet, they are not mature enough for the internet, let alone Facebook, what do you think?

[Clawhammer]

Facebook is where social relationships come to die. It's for people who have no social life to put random crap about their day and pretend people care. Sure, there's good aspects to it. But I still quit.

[Kaius]

:arrow2: ROTW

[Jess]

maybe they are there for the games. idk but sometimes they might completely forget about that site

[Sage]

Facebook is where social relationships come to die. It's for people who have no social life to put random crap about their day and pretend people care. Sure, there's good aspects to it. But I still quit.

Uh-oh, someone sounds bitter. I don't think that's a very fair assessment.

[Art_dude]

I agree with Sage.

I think there are downsides to facebook, but there are many positive aspects that I like about it. Being able to keep in touch with my sister at college and catch up with old friends has been great. But back to what the OP said about kids: I completely agree.

Who the fuck do you know at age 10? Like really? Ironically enough there's a group on facebook called, "you're 6 years old. Why do you have a cell phone?" I think that pretty much sums up kids these days.

[Clawhammer]

That's why I added that there are some positive aspects. But it is undeniable it turns into a bottomless pit with excessive alacrity.

[Art_dude]

Undeniable for you and others perhaps, but don't project your own experiences onto everyone else's implying that it turns into a "bottomless pit with excessive alacrity" for everyone. I'm sorry you had some negative experiences with it, but don't stereotype everyone as having had the same thing.

[Bougainvillea]

Well... What's wrong with alacrity?

[Clawhammer]

Undeniable for you and others perhaps, but don't project your own experiences onto everyone else's implying that it turns into a "bottomless pit with excessive alacrity" for everyone. I'm sorry you had some negative experiences with it, but don't stereotype everyone as having had the same thing.

I was merely expressing my opinion, and I never said it's the same for everyone. If it sounded that way, I have not stated my views properly. I quit because I had no reason to remain, and excellent reasons to leave. I'm not preaching against it or trying to change anything.

[Sugaree]

Facebook is where social relationships come to die. It's for people who have no social life to put random crap about their day and pretend people care. Sure, there's good aspects to it. But I still quit.

I have to disagree. I've developed my friendships with old friends even more thanks to Facebook. I hardly ever log on to it, mostly because I forget about it most days. But even if I did log on every day, that wouldn't make me a person without a social life. I get along there just fine.

That's why I added that there are some positive aspects. But it is undeniable it turns into a bottomless pit with excessive alacrity.

Once again, I disagree. The only way it could become a bottomless pit of excessive alacrity would be if people made it that way. Of course, there ARE people who have made it that way, but does that make the whole site that way? No, not in the least bit.

I have not stated my views properly.

Then why come into the thread in the first place if you can not state your view properly? Either do or don't, your choice man. This is a debate forum. It's like saying, "Fuck everybody in the club" and then leaving said club. You can't do it because people will gang up on you. You need to stay and defend your claim. Do it or don't, just your choice.

As for my views on the site, I'm pretty neutral to whoever joins. So some kids found out about the internet and joined Facebook. Is that such a bad thing? It has its good side and its bad side. Maybe the parents are to blame, maybe it's the constant mention of not being on Facebook is unpopular, who the hell knows? If some ten year old wants to join, I say let them. And if they don't like it, they'll probably forget and move on. Simple as. People who think Facebook is some reserved right for those 13 and older are elitist douchebags who need to get over the fact that the internet is open to everybody, young and old. Get used to it, there are six year olds with cellphones who are on Facebook with some 250 friends and all of them males in their 40s or 50s.

[OnceMoreWithFeeling]

I started useing facebook when I was 12 and in 7th grade when you had to 18 to join, my dad made me make for some reason.

[Jenna.]

It's bad, they're way too young to be on there imo. There's a reason for it being 13+.

[Sugaree]

It's bad, they're way too young to be on there imo. There's a reason for it being 13+.


And what exactly is that reason? So there's adult material on there, it's nothing they won't get exposed to later in life. Keeping certain things for a certain age group is sheltering others. Kids who are 12 and younger having Facebook isn't a bad thing, sheltering them is a bad thing.

[Azunite]

They just go there and put game screenshots as their profile pictures, wowwwwww so funn!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wintergirl]

It's 13+ for a reason. And besides, why would a six year old need a Facebook?

[Perseus]

And what exactly is that reason? So there's adult material on there, it's nothing they won't get exposed to later in life. Keeping certain things for a certain age group is sheltering others. Kids who are 12 and younger having Facebook isn't a bad thing, sheltering them is a bad thing.

Because of this. (http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.html) :P

Why do they have it? It's because they want to be "cool" like the older kids. I've had one since I'm thirteen, but I didn't really start using it till last year.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

My cousin who turned 12 this August was on Facebook without her mom's permission. I found out and agreed to keep it secret, but I was worried about her. Her mom found out and strictly curtailed her access only allowing her to play games. I think such an age is too young and puts children at unnecessary risk.

[Fact]

And what exactly is that reason? So there's adult material on there, it's nothing they won't get exposed to later in life. Keeping certain things for a certain age group is sheltering others. Kids who are 12 and younger having Facebook isn't a bad thing, sheltering them is a bad thing.

IMO, there's a line between being over sheltered and being exposed to things that could mentally scar you and be carried through into your later life...
I think it's like saying 'you should let kids out on the street, because they might come into constant with rapists in later life anyway' which of course is true that they may encounter it in later life, but why unnecessarily subject your children to that at such an early age?

Also, I find that kids who are less than 13 generally (not all, obviously there are exceptions) are sufficiently less mature. It could cause all sorts of problems e.g. cyberbullying - when I was 11, I changed best friends every week.
Letting pre-teens on Facebook is just asking for trouble.

Some people may say they're there for the games... Download them? Buy them for £5 or something measly like that? Going from 10/11 -> 13/14 is a time of great change in pretty much everyone's life, so for that reason and all the others stated, it's a 95-100% no for me.

[Amnesiac]

There's no reason kids under 13 should be on social networks. Not only is it a magnet for pedophiles and all-around pointless, it's technically illegal and is the main reason behind absurd characters like Jessi Slaughter. The Internet is for serious business, people.

[TopGear]

Well there is a reason why when they can't put there middle school in for "School" or College. It kinda pisses me off when I get friends invites from kids I know that are like 11-13 years old.

[Jess]

but when they do create an account, don't most forget about it? and when you're like 9 or something your parents monitor what you do right? most parents anyways...

[DarkHorses]

I think it's totally wrong for kids younger than thirteen to have facebook's. They are more prone to being irresponsible online and giving out personal information. It's just a magnet for creeps and pedophiles. I can't believe any parent would let a kid that young have a facebook, or even use the internet without their supervision if they're under 12.

[Perseus]

I can't believe any parent would let a kid that young have a facebook, or even use the internet without their supervision if they're under 12.
That's absurd. My friend's brother had a laptop since he was eleven and I can guarantee he wasn't monitored, but it didn't anything bad, I say that since he was freaked out my "Forgetting Sarah Marshall Unrated". :P

[Lonely_Shadow]

I agree with the OP there's no need for a 9 year old to have a facebook. they will unknowingly give out personal info on their profiles, maybe not all of them but some will. this will lead to internet pedophiles finding them and so on and so forth.

[Syvelocin]

Most of the time even, kids that young have no use for Facebook and cellphones and such. Nowadays, kids don't seem to have meaningful relationships or any need for that sort of thing. My sister in-law is ten, and she's asking for a cellphone. I really don't see the point since she doesn't... well, have any real friends. That seems mean, but I compare them to the relationships I had in primary school; I'm still best friends with four of them seven years later. She seems to have a new person to hang out with every month and never goes to birthday parties or hangs out with them when she doesn't have to. I don't see why she would need a cellphone.

This goes hand-in-hand with Facebook. Facebook is a social network. Other than family members, kids that young don't have anyone to socialize with online like that who they don't see everyday. And like someone has mentioned, the gold mine of paedophiles. Children don't know what to tell people and what not to tell people. And how to set privacy settings. Though, depending on the kid, this would be different. I was raised with the computer, actually, and I think it was a positive thing for me. But I was mature beyond my years, so that would differ.

[Art_dude]

Most of the time even, kids that young have no use for Facebook and cellphones and such. Nowadays, kids don't seem to have meaningful relationships or any need for that sort of thing. My sister in-law is ten, and she's asking for a cellphone. I really don't see the point since she doesn't... well, have any real friends. That seems mean, but I compare them to the relationships I had in primary school; I'm still best friends with four of them seven years later. She seems to have a new person to hang out with every month and never goes to birthday parties or hangs out with them when she doesn't have to. I don't see why she would need a cellphone.

This goes hand-in-hand with Facebook. Facebook is a social network. Other than family members, kids that young don't have anyone to socialize with online like that who they don't see everyday. And like someone has mentioned, the gold mine of paedophiles. Children don't know what to tell people and what not to tell people. And how to set privacy settings. Though, depending on the kid, this would be different. I was raised with the computer, actually, and I think it was a positive thing for me. But I was mature beyond my years, so that would differ.

This pretty much nailed it.
I think without the maturity and emotional skills necessary to process and rationalize using a social network online, anyone is prone to misuse facebook which includes the vast majority of children. It's sad, but as Syvelocin pointed out, children just don't have meaningful relationships anymore. I'm amazed by just how much they lack in social skills - they literally don't know how to appropriately interact with one another. I think this is an issue for adults as well: I was just getting breakfast at a cafe, and this woman was with her 6 year old daughter, on facebook. The poor kid was sitting there for 20 minutes and her mother didn't say a word because she was texting and chatting on her blackberry. Talk to your damn kid!

[RandomNobody1]

I very much agree with this. I've reported my little brother and gotten him taken off. There are rules like this for a reason and obviously Facebook needs to be a little more proactive with kicking people off.

[Sith Lord 13]

As far as pedophiles, is it wrong to expect parents to monitor a child's internet activity if they don't yet know to protect themselves?

What's the difference between 12 years and 364 days old and 13 years old? Age limits like this are arbitrary and not helpful.

[Korashk]

I very much agree with this. I've reported my little brother and gotten him taken off. There are rules like this for a reason and obviously Facebook needs to be a little more proactive with kicking people off.

Little douchey of you.

[CaptainObvious]

Because of this. (http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.html) :P

Actually, it's COPPA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Online_Privacy_Protection_Act) that requires that, not CIPA.

But yeah, I'm amused by how everyone here is all "everyone younger than X age has no need for it!"... when that age is determined by a law that is at best described as arbitrary. No, I don't think a 9 year old has any need for it. 11 and 12 year olds? Well, most probably don't but I'm sure there's a fair few that are socially advanced enough to use it.

[Azunite]

There's no reason kids under 13 should be on social networks. Not only is it a magnet for pedophiles and all-around pointless, it's technically illegal and is the main reason behind absurd characters like Jessi Slaughter. The Internet is for serious business, people.

This explains everything, hands down people.

[UnknownError]

I made one when I was 12, no biggy I don't think.


Facebook is where social relationships come to die. It's for people who have no social life to put random crap about their day and pretend people care. Sure, there's good aspects to it. But I still quit.

Somebody likes bebo. ;)

[Perseus]

Actually, it's COPPA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Online_Privacy_Protection_Act) that requires that, not CIPA.



My b. :P I forgot the exact name, and I did not read my link at all because I thought it was right because they sound the same(name wise) to me.

Wow, I really should have read that before posting, lol.

[RandomNobody1]

Little douchey of you.

That was useful. But no, he was posting statuses more often than I saw Farmville requests back in the day AND he friended a lot of my friends, people he didn't know. I guess I should have said that.


A good point is raised. What's the difference in 12 and 364 days and 13? Well not a lot, but at 13 a certain level of maturity is expected and you average it out. You can't just make exceptions and expect a board of people to test someone 'is he/she mature enough?' otherwise we'd have a LOT less people even over 13. It's just a matter of setting some bottomline. I don't find it arbitrary at all.

[Raptor22]

Actually, it's COPPA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Online_Privacy_Protection_Act) that requires that, not CIPA.

But yeah, I'm amused by how everyone here is all "everyone younger than X age has no need for it!"... when that age is determined by a law that is at best described as arbitrary. No, I don't think a 9 year old has any need for it. 11 and 12 year olds? Well, most probably don't but I'm sure there's a fair few that are socially advanced enough to use it.

My sister has one (a Facebook page) and she is 12, she just uses it to play FarmVille and talk with like three other friends and some family, not really a big deal. :)

I think 7th or 8th Grade is a good time...

[Quick_Sylver]

Im in between on things. Some of the kids I know should never be allowed on facebook, they're just the kind of kids who dont have much common sense, whereas I know an 11 year old who's allowed on facebook by her mother, who is as intelligent as most 14-15 year olds.

The reasons I dont think kids(12-) should be on Facebook is because its pedophile hunting grounds, Most of them are illiterate(tlkng lyk dis is gr8!), The majority of them will simply add everyone in their suggestion boxes(whether they know them or not), they arent mature enough mentally to understand the reasonings of Facebook, and they simply dont know the dangers of the internet, scams and spam.

Personally, I've seen 8 year olds and 6 year olds on facebook, and "Just for the games" is no reason to be on facebook. Being on facebook is about socializing online with your friends, and sure, its fun to play games with them, but it isnt a gaming site. You want a gaming site, find a decent one and use it. Again, Common sense reigns.

[sCa45]

It kind of annoys me. I mean what kind of socializing do they do?

[Black Eight]

13 is the perfect age to start having a facebook. At that age it is more of an extension of your social life rather than the beginning of it, which is the way a social network should be.

[Iceman]

There's no reason kids under 13 should be on social networks. Not only is it a magnet for pedophiles and all-around pointless, it's technically illegal and is the main reason behind absurd characters like Jessi Slaughter. The Internet is for serious business, people.

I disagree on the first part because if that person has the settings right a pedophile can not see anything about that person. Yes parents should check and make sure their child has those settings on but, it is a great way to keep up with family out of state.

[Jess]

I couldn't believe this: my little brother wants to create an account on Facebook. He'd said it out loud. I told him that you have to be 13, but he said he doesn't care. well he didn't make one though

[The Dark Lord]

I disagree on the first part because if that person has the settings right a pedophile can not see anything about that person. Yes parents should check and make sure their child has those settings on but, it is a great way to keep up with family out of state.

Surely email and telephone calls allow you to keep in touch with family out of the country

[Donkey]

I joined VT when I was 12 and talked to 18+ year olds on a daily basis, which is worse? :P

But yeah, Facebook is really quite a mature thing as anyone can post anything they want and I expect younger people are more prone to accepting friend requests from anyone they see.

[Fact]

But yeah, Facebook is really quite a mature thing as anyone can post anything they want and I expect younger people are more prone to accepting friend requests from anyone they see.

This is what I meant in my much earlier post.

It's unnecessary to expose children to everyone else's life stories and potentially inappropriate content.

[Jess]

I still think most younger kids join for the games on Facebook...but that's just me >_>

[Lasky]

I don't think anybody under the age of 13 has any business of having a facebook anyway. But then again, who am I to say what they can and can't do. I think with them having a facebook, it's much more risky. Pedophiles can find them easier.

[Bmatlman]

there is a 2 year old on facebook. some parents will make face books for their kids. i know alot of kids whos parents asked them if they wanted a facebook. but yeah i dont like to see really young kids on facebook friend requesting me.

[The Dark Lord]

there is a 2 year old on facebook.

No there's not.

[Donkey]

No there's not.
I have seen accounts created to represent persons under the age of two even

[Art_dude]

I've even seen accounts created for pets T_T

A bit of a diversion from the main topic, but I thought it would interest this thread: I heard on the news last night that a local school in my city is planning on trying to make it illegal for students to be facebook friends with their teachers. I'd say that making it illegal is a bit of a drastic measure, but I think everyone in this thread will agree that it's just not appropriate for students to know about their adult teacher's personal lives and vice versa.

[MisterAndrews]

I've even seen accounts created for pets T_T

A bit of a diversion from the main topic, but I thought it would interest this thread: I heard on the news last night that a local school in my city is planning on trying to make it illegal for students to be facebook friends with their teachers. I'd say that making it illegal is a bit of a drastic measure, but I think everyone in this thread will agree that it's just not appropriate for students to know about their adult teacher's personal lives and vice versa.

Haha! Pets?! A bit silly.

In England it is "Gross Professional Misconduct" to have your students on Facebook. This is on the grounds that, if they become involved in your personal life, you can't control them properly as a teacher. I agree, Teachers and Students ARE NOT friends. And it should stay that way.

However, I don't like that some people on here keep mentioning paedophiles as the main reason for kids staying off Facebook. I think that the media has made us paedo obsessed - not every adult that we don't know is out to groom our children! The main reason is don't think they should have facebook is that they should be outside, having fun, running around like kids do... Not tied to the computer!!

[Art_dude]

Haha! Pets?! A bit silly.

In England it is "Gross Professional Misconduct" to have your students on Facebook. This is on the grounds that, if they become involved in your personal life, you can't control them properly as a teacher. I agree, Teachers and Students ARE NOT friends. And it should stay that way.

However, I don't like that some people on here keep mentioning paedophiles as the main reason for kids staying off Facebook. I think that the media has made us paedo obsessed - not every adult that we don't know is out to groom our children! The main reason is don't think they should have facebook is that they should be outside, having fun, running around like kids do... Not tied to the computer!!

ughhhh THANK YOU!!!!

Child predators online is virtually close to nonexistent now... perhaps at the dawn of the internet, but no kid is that fuckin stupid... the privacy settings and security now is way too advanced.

The amount of paranoia over sexual crimes in this country is ridiculous.
We have made fear of paedophilia and molestation the primary concern over other crimes to the extent that it's the only legislation people are concerned about. It's created an unnecessary rift in age groups - ageism is a new legitimate issue. We've raised he next generation to fear and despise our elders and it's despicable <.< ANYWAY that's another rant for another time lol

[Jess]

students can friend their teachers on their but what if they don't go see what's on their wall? and in RL students and teachers can be friends.

[Fact]

ughhhh THANK YOU!!!!

Child predators online is virtually close to nonexistent now... perhaps at the dawn of the internet, but no kid is that fuckin stupid... the privacy settings and security now is way too advanced.

The amount of paranoia over sexual crimes in this country is ridiculous.
We have made fear of paedophilia and molestation the primary concern over other crimes to the extent that ti's the only legislation people are concerned about. It's created an unnecessary rift in age groups - ageism is a new legitimate issue. We've raised he next generation to fear and despise our elders and it's despicable <.< ANYWAY that's another rant for another time lol

One thing though, if we weren't so aware of it when it WAS a growing problem, would it not have continued to escalate?

Your comment about kids not being that stupid may be true of 13+, but an 8 year old may not be as sensible.

When I think of potential paedophiles and rapists, I don't think of any specific age group, I just think of imposing adult males with twisted intentions. I know many people don't though and do discriminate towards older men, but if that's what the statistics show, then isn't that only natural?

[Amnesiac]

I don't think anybody under the age of 13 has any business of having a facebook anyway. But then again, who am I to say what they can and can't do. I think with them having a facebook, it's much more risky. Pedophiles can find them easier.

Technically Facebook, as a private corporation, has the right to eliminate certain groups of people from joining their website. It's in their Terms of Use — nobody under 13. Elementary schoolers aren't meant to be on Facebook and they aren't allowed to be on Facebook.

[howyoudoin93]

I don't know why these little kids have fbs....they sound so stupid on line!

[dmeek7]

There are certain reasons that they have age restrictions on things. Plus at ages less than 13 who do you know besides the kids in your class that you can talk to...at age ten you are barely able to write in cursive (unless you are a prodigy or something). These days kids under the age of 13 are cursing, and fighting, and some of them are using drugs. I blame parents. Parents of those kids under 13 are young enough where they grew up with technology too, and all the parents you talk to now-a-days want to give their children a life "they never had", which is good...for SOME things like the freedom of not eating your brocoli, or getting a video game instead of having to play with blocks. So these parents let their kids get away with anything their parents didnt let them do, which those parents (grandparents of these kids under 13) had good reasons to limit the activity they let their kids do...
I think facebook should be limited to people of age 13 and over. they should come up with some way to prove your age. social security number or something ( i know that's a bad example b/c it could be hi-jacked easily), but it should happen.

[Art_dude]

One thing though, if we weren't so aware of it when it WAS a growing problem, would it not have continued to escalate?

Your comment about kids not being that stupid may be true of 13+, but an 8 year old may not be as sensible.

When I think of potential paedophiles and rapists, I don't think of any specific age group, I just think of imposing adult males with twisted intentions. I know many people don't though and do discriminate towards older men, but if that's what the statistics show, then isn't that only natural?

eh I don't know. you're basing that on the assumption that molestation as a crime is growing which I find hard to believe - I think we're simply more aware of the perpetration of sexual crimes because of our paranoia. The numbers of victims of molestation are probably close in number now to what they were say 50 years ago, it just seems disproportionately worse because more and more people are coming forward about it now (thankfully due to our healthier attitude on all topics sexual. It's hard to believe now, but several years ago, victims were encouraged not press charges out of shame!)

Anyway interesting thought, but for a different thread.

and yea, I think that it's hard to say that of an 8 year old, but the internet simply isn't what it was 10 years ago. An 8 year old would really have to seek out a predator now-a-days. They shouldn't have facebooks in the first place anyway.

basing your discrimination on 'statistics' is about as ridiculous as saying "it's only natural to discriminate against blacks - after all they do have a higher crime rate than whites." Unless your kid is talking to some creepy 70 year old out of a dirty van in the back of a parking lot, I think their chances are pretty good lol