To not let my son lie about his age online

[PenisColada]

My son really really wants a YouTube account.

He is 10 nearly 11.
He wants it to upload Lego videos to share with his friends. It seems all very innocent and we have no reason to think otherwise.

After much begging we agreed under strict rules but he just tried to sign up and it would not let him as he is too young.

He is now not happy as I would not let him change his age to lie and pretend he was old enough.

WIBU to not allow him to lie about is age ? He thinks I am the worst mum in the world as apparently all his friends have YouTube accounts.

How old do you have to be

YANBU.

It's on par with allowing children Facebook accounts when they are too young for that.

I can see why he is upset as you agreed and now as he sees it you have gone back on your word.

Can you not set up an account which he can't access without you with him to monitor?

You have to be 13

Could you compromise and you have one that he can go on and use but doesn't have the password to?

This is why I am asking AIBU as we agreed not knowing the age limit so I feel bad about the whole thing.

I really don't want to teach him that lying is acceptable so I cannot let him lie about his age.

I may do that dozy thanks had not thought of that.

Sign up yourself, with your own password. Upload his clips for him.

Yes I am going to get myself an account and upload his stuff !

I would make one in your name and let him use it. Maybe choose a different username to peniscolada though

No I won't register as Peniscolada ! Don't thinks he would attract innocent Lego geeks.

dd and i fall out about this on fb.
i've said we're not lying.

I wouldn't let him lie. But then I'm horribly strict.

hmmm, I can see you pov but at the same time you are risking him lying and simply not telling you.

Then once that particular genie is out of the bottle, he could be on Facebook or worse....

Personally I prefer the stance that you create the account with him and he's open and honest with you at all times under threat of an Internet ban if he's not.

When my DS was 10 he thought I'd say no to him having a FB account so he lied, created himself one and only used it in the mornings before I woke up. Trust me, it's easier to manage their Internet habits openly and through gritted teeth than constantly fearing what he may/may not be doing behind your back.