to think it's ridiculous that children have Facebook accounts

[WhatNotHot]

Whats the point of having an age limit?
I noticed on my DB profile that a child he has connections with, had been asked the question 'would you have sex with ....? The child is 8 ffs

And before anyone comes on spouting about how their 5 yo DD needs a FB account because of them having family that don't live in the same room, then don't bother, people managed to keep in touch before social networking sites were introduced Surely there are sits more appropriate for children, like this one

I'm interested in all the talk about safety on Facebook etc. Anyone know of any courses specifically for parents?

My point is that not all parents DO. So how is an outsider going to? And if one cannot...then you're stirring up mud.

you can have very specific settings on FB account....on mine I specify EXACTLY who can see what photos/updates/personal info etc so just having your child as a friend does not by any means grant you a view into their online FB activities....there is no way of doing that unless you either sit with them EVERY time they use it or know their password and go in and see for yourself.

I was shocked when I saw my 13 year old cousins have a FB account - especially when I saw the kinds of pics they uploaded/were tagged in/their friends were in....they are more concerned about using FB to 'show off' than they are concerned for their safety....and a girl I used to babysit for and our families were close, she puts such personal info on her status updates that I feel embarrased for her (and her mum is one of her friends too )

Exactly what Shiney said.
I also find it hard to understand how some parents find it so difficult to just say no.

Not sure I understand your last post, bebe.

Are you asking how I would enforce a no FB rule for all children?
Clearly I can't. The responsibility lies with the individual parent, just as it does wrt preventing children watching unsuitable age rated films. I think it's a shame that so many parents appear to be so wishy washy in these areas.

The difference is now that he is not allowed to go on it unless i have checked it first, which i do before he uses it. So i know exactly what is said and done and can/do get rid of inappropriate things.

Seems like a whole lotta hassle TLES, like letting a 10yo watch an 18 rated film then fast forwarding all the nasty bits.

Agree Crack, I think it's fairly irresponsible for parents to allow children to have FB for all of the reasons stated. All those that say they have them only for the games have alternative sources of the games posted on this thread so no excuse really.

LorrieD Perhaps contact the school to see if they have any?

Thanks WhatNotHot. You took the virtual words right out of my mouth regarding our site being a safe alternative and a great place for families to play together

YANBU

kids need a life not a facebook account

Misspinky I think the school introduced it to the DCs, it certainly seems popular in my DC school anyway.

I think it is so irresponsible! it teaches kids to ignore internet safety advice like age limits!

they are just going to ignore every warning that clicks up on the computer if their mums and dads ignored the rules and let them have an over 13s account from the age of two!

also undermines safety campaigns

and its stupid! if I got a friend request from an under 13 I would report it!

We bought DD1 a netbook for her 10th birthday last year. I have installed a security system called K9.
Nothing gets past it. No msn, fb most game site.
My friend works in IT and both her and her BF tried to get past it and they couldnt.

I am full of confidence that my DD will not be able to access any site that is inappropriate for her age etc.

My DD does complain that it is slow and that she want msn.
Guess what I tell her. Sorry but no you can not. The netbook is for homework and email. Some games but not things like farmville!

I am the adult she is the child. I ma responsible for her development and her safety. I would never forgive myself if something happened to her via the netbook.

My DD1 is 9 and said 'all my friends are on FB, can I have a FB account?' I said NO, my 12 year old doesn't even have one and he is computer/internet savvy.

oh I noticed that a 10-11 year old (not sure when she is 11) I know is on FB (it comes up in my suggestions) If her MSN names are anything to go by, I dread to think what she posts on FB

I worry because if childrren are exposed to this kind of stuff at pre teen age, what will they need for excitement once they hit their teenage years?
There will be nothing left to explore.

Most of the children I teach have FB accounts - I have an unusual & searchable surname, so routinely have to decline friend requests from students.

It's not going to go away. I'd rather teach my own children about e-safety than 'ban' them from using something that they could fairly easily access & sign up for at a friend's house/the library.

There's offensive material all over the internet & banning FB won't make it disappear.

What I would do is keep a close eye on status updates, profile pictures, & friend lists.

I got a friend request the other day from a 12 year old student. Her profile picture shows her in a bikini, with full make up & holding a 'cocktail' type drink (all umbrellas & sparklers).

I'd like to think that her parents haven't seen it or don't even know she has an account, but suspect that they're simply as naive about e-safety &, for that matter, basic common bloody sense, as their dd.

I can't imagine letting my DD have her own FB page until she's a teenager and since she's only 7 months old it won't really count for some time!

However, I don't even put pics of her on MY profile page, or my DH's and we have told family that we don't wany any pics of her on there either. If she is tagged in a photo by anyone in our family, their friends can see pics of her and friends of friends etc etc. You just never know who is looking at pics of your child.

So we go a little further than just not letting children have FB accounts...

Surely to set the child up with an account would involve entering a false date of birth? If so, then parents who do this are teaching their children that it's ok to lie, and that they can choose to disregard rules that don't suit them. I may be old fashioned, but not something I'd be comfortable with

Hey!

LorrieD your internet provider will have information on how to keep your child safe. There are many sources on the internet. Also if you can get intouch with your local college/ university the will more than likely be able to help you out.

SparklyGothKat unfortunatly, it is not a question of how computer savy your 12 year old is. it's how computer savy are you?

Some of things posted on this thread simply prove that very few parents out there really know how these sites work.

For those of you that pose an absoult ban on FB. have you thought about what happens whenyour child goes to the house of those who have no ban?

No parent is ever going to get this one right I'm afraid!

differentnameforthis The link you posted for farmville just takes you back to facebook.