is youtube suitable for a 13 year old?

[chocyholic]

ds is getting a laptop for his 13th birthday. Is youtube, bebo etc suitable ?Should I get a parental protection program for it? I got netnanny a couple of years ago and it was a real pain! Sorry if I'm repeating a thread, I'm new to this one.

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what other things aimed at young people,motherfunk? And can anyone suggest a good program?

Whatever you use I would also make it clear to youngsters about what other people onthe net can be like and to remind them that everyone can read and see all they type and post.

My neice postege some rather rauncy underwear pics on her Bebo, she was 17, but FGS, her dad and me are on her Bebo as well as all her pals. She had horrible messages from what mys be her enemys too, and I asked her why she hadn't deleted them, it just hadn't occured to her. Teenagers have a totally different concept of the net and are quiet happy to live their lives in public.

I keep close tabs on my two, the computer is in the living room. they have to aske before typing in any details and they are both limited through AOL controls. DS gets to access more sites but he hasn't discovered chat room ot that yet and I didn'y let him set up a bebo.

My DS4 (almost 11) loves youtube. I always try to do a hover over his shoulder and have explained to him that he should never, ever give any personal details including age, area where we live etc.

Dont like Bebo - massive age range!

Think our family computer will live in our living room until DS4 leaves home. The internet can be wonderful - BUT - as in every walk of life there are always oddbods lurking.

Just keep your eye on DS and tell him, as I am sure you already do, any worries or concerns to let you know right away.

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I think 13 is a bit young for you tube.DD3 16 uses My Space,you tube and msn.
She starte using msn when she was 12 but didn't use you tube or My space until she was 15.
I would get some sort of parental protection for your DD's lap top.
YOU can get difernt protection for different age groups. DD3 is now on the teen one,

Mine use YouTube and have done for the last couple of years. Youngest is 14.

All DS2 does is watch funny clips and stand up comedy on it. He's not interested in the darker stuff on there.

Most stuff on youtube is probably ok, but people can upload anything onto there - gangs brandishing weapons, drug taking, swearing of course, "happy slapping".

DS1 (12) is allowed to access YouTube if myself or his father are with him.

He has never shown any interest in bebo, but I wouldn't let him on there yet.

He's just too chatty and open about things. The concept of everything being openly broadcast to the entire universe is something he is aware of, but doesn't yet grasp the implications of.

DS2 (10) has glubble (parental blocker software) on his laptop.

My ds is nearly 14 and uses both and all seems fine so far.I think it depends where the computer is though Ours is for all of us and so we can see whats going on mostly.But ds wants one in his room when we move for homework

is glubble a brand name program? Is it good?