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Social Networking and Kids

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Social networking and social media site are becoming increasingly popular. The Facebook and Myspace trend was originally targeted towards high school and college aged kids. Then parents and grandparents started creating accounts. Social networking is an excellent way to stay in contact with friends and keep updated about events. Users are able to speak about themselves by updating their own status and share memories by posting pictures and videos. Now users are becoming increasingly younger. The issue is how young is too young to use social media.

Facebook and Twitter both have age restrictions on their websites. Kids have to become at least 13 before they can create an account. The problem with this is that it is simple to create an account under a fake age. Many parents are not alright with their young children to use social networking and others want social networking sites to remove the age restrictions.

The problem with young kids on social networking web pages is that their profiles can expose excessive information about them. There is inappropriate content and pictures on the web and online predators are generally notorious for using web 2.0 sites. Kids should not put where they live or posts statuses that give away where they will be or if they will be alone.

In the end, it is up to the parents to determine if social media is right for their kids. There are social networking webistes that are targeted towards young kids. Social networks that are like a Facebook site for kids have kid-friendly content and tend to be centered on entertaining young children. The safest social networking site for kids must be constantly monitored by monitors to find inappropriate content and conversations. Some even allow adults to monitor the website.

Just because sites like Facebook or MySpace my not be appropriate for children does not mean that children should not be allowed to use social networking sites. Kids social network sites are an ideal way for kids to talk with their peers. They are able to post statuses or upload photographs and video clips. These sites may give a positive and constructive place for children to learn.

Parents should research some sites before allowing their kids to create an account that way they can decide which websites are requently monitored. They also may want to have a chat with their kids to let them know what is ok to post and things they should not post. If kids are approached by a stranger online then they should be able to let their parent know about it.
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Comments

Masshole Mommy said…
My kids are 7 & 10 and they are not allowed to even use the computer - at all. I think they are too young, so there will definitley be no social media for them for many more years.
October 2, 2014 at 7:16 PM
Rochkirstin Santos said…
There are some uses of social networking sites that are really helpful and beneficial for kids especially students. These are like online portals that aid them to engage together even when not staying late in school.
October 2, 2014 at 8:20 PM
Haydn Symons said…
Social media can be really dangerous for young kids, and I definitely agree with your blog post Grace. I feel that kids should be playing outside as much as possible, and not looking at a screen!
October 2, 2014 at 8:51 PM
Patty Woodland said…
It's a scary world online for kids. It's a shame - but I remember as a child all of the rules for strangers so I suppose it's really no different. Just sad.
October 2, 2014 at 10:40 PM
Danielle said…
I know parents who try the- never change the passwords, that way they can check the account, and only friend family. It works somethings for them best!
October 3, 2014 at 5:14 AM
Catherine Sargent said…
I know I was always worried about what my son did online when he was younger. We always checked to see what sites he went to and also checked his FB page.
October 3, 2014 at 8:15 AM
Sweepster said…
Kids should not be on social media at all. There is no reason for it and if the problem is peer pressure then frankly, parents are responsible. The peer pressure shouldn't be possible given the age restrictions. WAKE UP MOM & DAD!
October 3, 2014 at 8:57 AM
Erica Brooks said…
My children are too young for social networking right now. I will definitely be monitoring them like crazy once their old enough to keep them safe.
October 3, 2014 at 9:05 AM
Cindy Gordon said…
Thanks for sharing your views. Its so scary to think about my kids and the internet!
October 3, 2014 at 9:39 AM
GabbyLynn Reviews said…
I think children should have a little more freedom when it comes to social networking. I was never allowed to have an AIM account when I was in middle school, and that always made me want it more. I did eventually end u making one and they never found out.
October 3, 2014 at 10:35 AM
Jo said…
That's true! Sometimes I wish all apps have that security code thing! I succumb to the idea of sharing personal info, you can't trust everybody. Who knows, one of your so-called friends might be doing something with them already. That happened to a family friend!!
October 3, 2014 at 12:48 PM
Heather Jones said…
I have a Kindergartner so this isn't a big issue yet, but I would almost wait til my child was 16 to open a social media account. With all the online bullying that can take place, I'd like to protect those facets of my child's life for as long as possible.
October 3, 2014 at 12:54 PM
Rebecca Swenor said…
I do think that it is up to the parents but there should be age limits for them. It is the parents responsibly to monitor their own children too and also discuss the dangers with their children. Thanks for sharing.
October 3, 2014 at 12:58 PM
HilLesha O'Nan said…
My son is 8 years old and I don't let him get on the computer at all, so no worries there....yet. :)
October 3, 2014 at 1:14 PM
Marie Moody said…
Well with that being said I think I'll keep my opinion to my self, but regarding the Post I have a granddaughter that's about to turn 16, and she's already been caught not doing the right thing on the internet and she could have suffered severely for it if it came across the wrongs hands. There's so many sick people out there that lure our children who are mad at their parents for one or just curious for the other. Some are missing and some are no longer with us, and some were saved. The internet is just another scary place we don't want our children at unless they know never to walk alone. When my grandchildren come over and they want to go on the internet I tell them sure come in Nanee's office you can play on my laptop right next to me while I'm blogging, but you can bet your bottom dollar I'm watching them have fun instead of blogging or playing their game with them... or rocking to tunes on You Tube. Woo Hoo
October 4, 2014 at 1:42 AM
Krystal Butherus said…
I definitely do worry about this. Thank you for sharing.
October 4, 2014 at 5:11 AM
Tamika Mapp said…
This is one thing I go over in my Girl Scout troop starting at Daisy to Ambassador K-12 level. We go over what's appropriate or not appropriate for the internet. I have the older girls google themselves and ask them questions, that make them think twice about posting another thing like that. I also believe that children under 10 years old is too young to be on the computer. 11 until 18 year's old with strict monitoring only.
October 4, 2014 at 6:27 AM
Ashley Nicholas said…
It's definitely important to monitor internet privacy settings for kids! It's also important to teach kids how to use them correctly, so that when they are old enough to use them they'll be safe.
October 4, 2014 at 6:38 AM
Jenise said…
Yes, parents definitely need to oversee not just the social media that their children use, but also the websites and forums that they visit. There's a lot of creepies out there!
October 4, 2014 at 7:01 AM
Bonnie Gowen said…
My oldest daughter has a social networking account to talk to her friends from school and that's about it.
October 4, 2014 at 7:29 AM
Cassie Tucker said…
I think it's okay for kids to use Social Media as long as parents are overseeing who they are friending. Bully's and creepers should be removed immediately.
October 4, 2014 at 11:57 AM
Nile Flores said…
Frankly, children shouldn't be social networking on the mainstream sites until they are at least 13. Those sites are actually required by law to comply. It's important that parents monitor what their children are doing and set rules down on saying what kind of personal information can't be shared. If it takes being there the whole time while they are on to monitor, then so be it, especially under the age of 13.
October 4, 2014 at 12:58 PM
Mash Elle said…
Great overall topic! I think kids should be educated on what social media is and its ramifications at a young age. Social media is the future, indeed!

Michelle
mash-elle.com
October 4, 2014 at 2:09 PM
Chrissy Mazzocchi said…
I don't even let my 15 year old have a Facebook account and if one day he does he won't be on it without me.
October 5, 2014 at 12:35 AM
Melissa said…
I think that social networking could be okay if it was closely monitored & for a legitimate reasoning, like when a parent goes overseas for the military. To have it to simply have it, I think they should wait.
October 6, 2014 at 2:16 AM
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