Should you allow your child to use Facebook?
Should children be allowed to have their own Facebook accounts? We talk about how to ensure your child uses Facebook safely.
With the rise of social networking sites, comes the inevitable question: How soon should you let your children have a Facebook account? Did you know that according to Facebook’s statement of rights and responsibilities children under 13 are forbidden from using the site entirely? When it comes to children over the age of 13, Facebook recommends that minors ask their parents for permission before sending any information about themselves to anyone over the Internet.
If, however, you decide that your child is ready to participate on Facebook, read on…
The pros and cons of Facebook
There are pros and cons to social networking sites like Facebook and as responsible parents, the key is being aware of both and weighing whether or not your child is mature enough – and responsible enough – to be aware of the potential dangers of Facebook.
Pros of Facebook
- Social skills
- Self-expression
- Digital competence
- Educational development
- Networking
Cons of Facebook
- Potential bullying
- Antisocial behaviour
- Data privacy issues
- Loss of focus from academics
- Exposure to potentially dangerous Internet links and click-through ads
- Possibility of cyberstalking
5 Tips for parents to keep their kids safe on Facebook
- If you do choose to let your child have a Facebook page, set it up together and make sure you set very strict rules for participation. You need to be sure that your child is safe and not being exposed to any content they aren’t prepared to handle, so don’t be afraid to limit who they have as friends and always be aware of their password so that you can access their site.
- Once they are up and running, make sure you keep pace. It’s ok to go online and check their page or their friends’ pages. If it feels like snooping, that’s because it is, but with the potential dangers inherent in sites like these, a little extra caution is a good thing, so don’t let it stop you.
- Be particularly cautious about allowing your child to upload photos and about allowing them to have adult friends. That should be an automatic no-no for any child, much less young children. It is far too easy for them to fall prey to adult predators and the worst assumption you can make is that they are safe just because they are in your house.
- Social networking can be a very healthy and even helpful avenue, particularly for children who have difficulty socialising otherwise. More to the point, it is not anything to be afraid of. It is basically the modern version of “hanging out” with their friends, only it’s done in cyberspace instead of at each other’s houses. It doesn’t have to be threatening if handled correctly.
- Ultimately, the decision about when to let your child participate on Facebook and other social networking sites is up to you. Only you can know what is right for your child.
