Facebook Question

HisChamaoleGirl

At what age do you think it is appropriate for a child to have a facebook account?

wlm740

I think facebook has an age requirement.  People don't always follow it, but I think I will be.

KdgTeacher

I believe a child has to be 13 before they can have an account.

Now, saying that I've had students (4th grade) who talk about their accounts.

HisChamaoleGirl

facebook's age requirement is 13 years old. Would you let your child have one before then?

DandelionMom

My girls have to wait until they're 13 but a few of their friends (10 and 7) have fb accounts.  I think that social pressure is probably the reason a lot of those kids have them.  I imagine it is okay if the parents are very careful to monitor the account and set good security settings but I'd rather put that off as long as possible.  

Kasi80

My daughter is 10 and some of her friends have accounts.  I won't let her yet.

neverblushed

My DD just turned 11 and is in 6th grade.  Only one kid in her class had her own FB account last year, and DD said everyone thought it was weird.  She is not interested in it yet, although she likes to look at pictures my friends have posted and knows how it works.

I teach 9th grade, and EVERY kid that age is on FB.  So sometime in middle school is when most kids begin to explore it.  My DD has a late birthday for her grade, so she won't be 13 until the start of 8th grade.  

I guess I'll be okay with her having a FB account when these two conditions are met: 1) she actually wants one and enough friends are on there to make it worth it for her and 2) I think she has the maturity and judgment to handle FB wisely and carefully.

We've already begun talking about some of the pros and cons of social networking sites so that she is ready by later in middle school.