There’s one Facebook Safety rule that millions of parents break every day. And that’s allowing kids under 13 to have a Facebook account.
Thirteen is the minimum age that a child is permitted to have an account on the popular social media platform. There’s no way for anyone under the age of 13 to have an account unless they lie about their age. What’s surprising is how many of these kids are doing it with their parents’ full knowledge and permission.
While the age of 13 may seem arbitrary to some, there are some real changes in our cognitive abilities around that age that can make kids a little less susceptible to predators and other online problems. But, kids still aren’t completely smart about what’s okay and what’s not. (Heck, many adults aren’t even there yet.)
If you let a 10-year-old on Facebook, it’s pretty close to dropping off a kid who has never left his hometown in the middle of metropolis all by himself. There are untold millions of people, some good and some bad. But you’re expecting a 10-year-old to be able to understand the difference. No matter how mature your kid is, she can wait three more years to join Facebook.
~ Cynthia
I wish I could share this on Facebook!
I Totally agree with you Children should NOT be on Facebook , there are enough other places for them to chat.
If parents insist on letting their kids have Facebook under 13 (and please don’t), at least have the decency to be in full control of it. Parents decide who can be friended. Be it accepting or requesting. And anybody friended can be unfriended without question. Any replies/posts/uploads/shares etc can be deleted at parent’s sole digression. And parents can check Messenger any time they want to, too.
At least, some control of safety can be maintained. Just that the little darlings aren’t going to have any privacy.
Yes, I have known several children, younger than 13 to be on FB with their parents permission, and some great nephews too.