Can someone tell me about Bebo?

[seeker]

My 11 year old is very keen to go in Bebo - my instinct is to say no. I am quite strict about things like sticking to age classifications for films and not watching adult TV programmes, and my feeling about Bebo is that it's really meant for teenagers. I am alos reluctant to add another screen based activity to her life. She is only allowed a set amount of screen time in a day, and already has to divide it up between Nintendo, TV, MSM and other computer stuff. Any thoughts?

My dc are older, but the youngest was on bebo at 12.
I regularly check out his page, and the type of comments on it and have had no problems so far. It is usually normal pre-teen stuff, jokes and comments.
My ds 12, also only has about 30 "friends" on it, or contacts, and I know them all in rl, so I am happy enough.

I think the main thing is to do spot checks on it regularly
and read all the comments so you know who they are chatting with.

Thank you, potoftea. Can I have a cup, btw?! Any othe comments?

I think it is pretty harmless (I have a bebeo page lol) as long as you keep an eue on comments and stuff.
But Bebo's T&C's say you must be 13 to join.
It is aimed at anyone is just like Myspace I suppose with blogs, pictures friends lists etc but I don;t think I would let an 11 year old join.

I'm sure its fine if you keep checking it regularly - who she's in contact with and the content of pictures and messages. If she knows that you wil keep an eye on it she is more likely to use it appropriately. I do have huge reservations about it though. I once browsed through some of my (quite young) pupils pages and was shocked by what was on there from some very 'angelic' children.
I'm sure it is fine though if you keep an eye on it.