Social networks and kids: How young is too young?
Researchers say a growing number of children are flouting age requirements on sites such as Facebook and MySpace, or using social-networking sites designed just for them. Facebook and MySpace require users to be at least 13, but they have no practical way to verify ages, and many young users pretend to be older when signing up.
In two surveys reported this year by Pew Internet Research, 38 percent of respondents ages 12 to 14 said they had an online profile of some sort. Some scientists worry that pre-adolescent use of the sites, which some therapists have linked to Internet addiction among adults, could be damaging to children's relationships and brains.
"My fear is that these technologies are infantilizing the brain into the state of small children who are attracted by buzzing noises and bright lights, who have a small attention span and who live for the moment," Susan Greenfield, an Oxford University neurocientist and director of Britain's Royal Institution, told London's Daily Mail in February.
Many parents also worry that younger users of social sites could be targets for online predators. While there are some concerns that kids aren't mature enough to make good decisions about their privacy, experts say most are savvy enough by their early teens to know what, and who, to avoid. Younger children, they say, need more parental supervision.
My question to you: Do you think parents should not allow their children to use social networks until a certain age? How young is too young?
full cnn article
In two surveys reported this year by Pew Internet Research, 38 percent of respondents ages 12 to 14 said they had an online profile of some sort. Some scientists worry that pre-adolescent use of the sites, which some therapists have linked to Internet addiction among adults, could be damaging to children's relationships and brains.
"My fear is that these technologies are infantilizing the brain into the state of small children who are attracted by buzzing noises and bright lights, who have a small attention span and who live for the moment," Susan Greenfield, an Oxford University neurocientist and director of Britain's Royal Institution, told London's Daily Mail in February.
Many parents also worry that younger users of social sites could be targets for online predators. While there are some concerns that kids aren't mature enough to make good decisions about their privacy, experts say most are savvy enough by their early teens to know what, and who, to avoid. Younger children, they say, need more parental supervision.
My question to you: Do you think parents should not allow their children to use social networks until a certain age? How young is too young?
full cnn article
Tags: kids, social networks, young
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Cannon on -
Well, my five year old little sister already feels left out when my parents and I log into Facebook. She feels like she's being denied something real that we all have that she doesn't. But that's just her and her nature (she threw a 15 minute fit and threw my stepmom's laptop on the floor). I would say 13 is an appropriate age, or maybe even high school. I moved schools really often in my youth and didn't start social networking until 8th-9th grade and it was a great way to stay in touch with my friends I made while being a travelling circus. This doesn't apply to all kids, but I felt connected to my friends when I was surrounded by others who had grown up together.
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Permalink Reply by Cannon on
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But I mean, the less online social networking you do, the better. I'm a full proponent of talking to strangers.
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Permalink Reply by Nick hanson on -
I have 2 sons, one is 9 and the other is nearly 12. They keep asking to go on msn, facebook and bebo, I have told them both not until they are older. They do use other networks like club penguin , disney xd and Habbo hotel. These are primerily kid based networks and i can monitor what they do on them, I have told my eldest that he can have msn when he is 13. He sees most of his friends everyday and i dont see why he needs to spend hours on the pc. I would much rather he was out in the fresh air, skateboarding and riding their bikes etc.
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Permalink Reply by sAm on -
I agree, I remember back to my childhood and all the fond memories I had running around with all the neighborhood kids getting into all sorts of trouble. I couldn't imagine if I spent my younger years online. 13 seems to be the right age.
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Permalink Reply by Kristine Allen on -
Parents need to take responsibility... 13 or 14 is a good age but I mean if a 10 year old has a myspace, a parent needs to learn how to check the history on the computer as well as learn how to search their kids name on the social network...
But... then again I don't have kids so who am I to judge fairly?
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