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Curious--when will you allow DC to have a FB or other social networking account?

goodheartedmommygoodheartedmommy member
in Parenting

I see several kids I know on there in the 9-10-11 range. I guess if you are monitoring their pages, it's probably fine, but that still seems so young to be putting yourself out there like that. I vividly remember being in a chat room at 14 or 15 (my parents didn't know I did it) and someone asking my address so he could "write" me. The only reason I didn't do it was because I didn't want my parents to see a letter from a boy like that. Looking back, I see the real reason it's a good thing I didn't do that.

Anyway, I think I won't let my kids until they're older, like 15 or 16, or whenever they can prove that they can handle it. 

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Re: Curious--when will you allow DC to have a FB or other social networking account?

  • calico77calico77

    Never!  I think it leads to much exposure to stuff they don't need to be exposed to at an early age.  Maybe if they are mature enough in HS--sophomore year minimum but not before then.

     I will be the uncool parent and I don't care!

    Megan--Mommy to Owen 1.10.07 and Gibson 5.11.10
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  • MelandJeffMelandJeff
    imagecalico77:

    Never!  I think it leads to much exposure to stuff they don't need to be exposed to at an early age.  Maybe if they are mature enough in HS--sophomore year minimum but not before then.

     I will be the uncool parent and I don't care!

    Hahahahaha! Never say never!

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  • MelandJeffMelandJeff

    Ashley was 12 or 13 when she got a Myspace page, but, I had to be her "friend". Now, she has a FB page, and again, I am her "friend" but she doesnt post much on it, I use FB much more than she does.

    While it does expose them to a lot, you just cant say "NO". they can make an account that you dont know about and then your screwed. Your better off letting them as long as they have you as a "friend" so you can see whats going on.

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  • MominatorMominator
    DS just got one a few months ago and he will be 14 y/o in December. I monitor his page and have his FB password as well as his email password. I trust him. I know that there are lunatics out there, but so does he.
    Ridley Run 3.1 - 4/9/11 - 34:24 - 1st race evah!
    Kelly Monaghan's 5K - 5/15/11 - 3rd Place in AG
    Walk the Talk 5K - 5/18/11 - 31:12 PR
    Ridley Run 3.1 - 4/14/12 - 1st race of the year, 32:45
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  • MominatorMominator
    imageMelandJeff:
    imagecalico77:

    Never!  I think it leads to much exposure to stuff they don't need to be exposed to at an early age.  Maybe if they are mature enough in HS--sophomore year minimum but not before then.

     I will be the uncool parent and I don't care!

    Hahahahaha! Never say never!

    Agreed! I would much rather DS do something like FB or MySpace with my knowledge and permission rather than behind my back which is what would most likely happen.

    Ridley Run 3.1 - 4/9/11 - 34:24 - 1st race evah!
    Kelly Monaghan's 5K - 5/15/11 - 3rd Place in AG
    Walk the Talk 5K - 5/18/11 - 31:12 PR
    Ridley Run 3.1 - 4/14/12 - 1st race of the year, 32:45
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  • goodheartedmommygoodheartedmommy member
    imageMominator:
    imageMelandJeff:
    imagecalico77:

    Never!  I think it leads to much exposure to stuff they don't need to be exposed to at an early age.  Maybe if they are mature enough in HS--sophomore year minimum but not before then.

     I will be the uncool parent and I don't care!

    Hahahahaha! Never say never!

    Agreed! I would much rather DS do something like FB or MySpace with my knowledge and permission rather than behind my back which is what would most likely happen.

    Very good point. Ugh. Don't want to think about that age yet! 

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  • chelle828chelle828
    DSD is 13 and isn't allowed.  We got a really great picture of her a few months back and DH put it as his profile pic.  Overnight he had 8 friend requests from grown men he didn't know, and several people IMed him asking how old she was etc.  When he answered "39 and the picture is my daughter" they promptly left him alone.  Now he's even more freaked out about her growing up!   That being said my next door neighbor, one of DSD's BFFs is 11 and has a page, but she is a very different kid - afraid of anyone she doesn't know.
    Michelle, Happily married to R 2006,
    StepMom to P, Mama to R and E.
    SAHM and weekend NICU nurse
    image
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  • DandelionMomDandelionMom
    It seems like kids around here are 15+ when they get on FB.  I'm okay with it as long as I can keep an eye on what is going on. 
    .
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  • LestaMarieLestaMarie

    I will probably allow Facebook since it's pretty sanitized, around age 12 or 13.  I try not to tell myself at this point, "Okay, when she's X years old, she can do this, and when she turns X, then she can do that..." Age matters, but the maturity and responsibility of the child matters much more in my opinion.  With FB, I will obviously require them to keep their pages private, add me as a friend, and not add anyone to their friend list that they don't know IRL.  For now, that's the only social network I feel really comfortable with. 

     I think as our kids get older, they'll also get A LOT more lessons in computer safety through school and through us (their parents) than we did, because all of that stuff was just coming out when we were teenagers/college age.

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