What age is "normal" to get a Facebook page?

[lilosurf11]

I didn't get a facebook page until I was 20. I figured I didn't need one, on account of how busy I am with work and school and everything else. I do enjoy it though, to keep up with my friends.

 

[jrmasm]

I will say "middle school". I think for most things age is pretty arbitrary, this would be one of them. The Facebook requirement of 13 is to protect FACEBOOK, not your child so that really doesn't mean anything. Facebook is a popular way to stay in touch with friends and if it is monitored, I don't see a problem with using it when kids are middle school age and above.

It's Facebook's rule so I guess it means something to them. And I don't encourage my children to break rules just be we don't like them.

Not before 13. After that, it should depend on the kid.

 

[okeydokey]

Think Facebook policy is 13

My DD is 12 and this is what we are following.

 

[golfgal]

My kids will not have facebook pages until they are much older. There is a lot of adult topics discussed on facebook. Things that should not be seen by children. Not only can they see friends postings, but depending on their settings they can see friends of friends who may or may not realize their postings are being read by children. In other words I have a 20 something brother in law who posts things he would not say in front of my children.

So, then you don't let your child be a "friend" of the BIL's

Here are the Facebook "terms":

Facebook users provide their real names and information, and we need your help to keep it that way. Here are some commitments you make to us relating to registering and maintaining the security of your account:

1. You will not provide any false information on Facebook, or create an account for anyone other than yourself without permission.
2. You will not create more than one personal profile.
3. If we disable your account, you will not create another one without our permission.
4. You will not use your personal profile for your own commercial gain (such as selling your status update to an advertiser).
5. You will not use Facebook if you are under 13.
6. You will not use Facebook if you are a convicted sex offender.
7. You will keep your contact information accurate and up-to-date.
8. You will not share your password, (or in the case of developers, your secret key), let anyone else access your account, or do anything else that might jeopardize the security of your account.
9. You will not transfer your account (including any page or application you administer) to anyone without first getting our written permission.
10. If you select a username for your account we reserve the right to remove or reclaim it if we believe appropriate (such as when a trademark owner complains about a username that does not closely relate to a user's actual name).


So, all of you that have your child's password and access their accounts are breaking the Facebook rules-so that is ok but not allowing a 12 year old is not

 

[SaraJayne]

So, all of you that have your child's password and access their accounts are breaking the Facebook rules-so that is ok but not allowing a 12 year old is not

Facebook doesn't get to determine how I parent my child and monitor their computer use. And if that means I break their rule (which I don't believe applies to parents), so be it.

 

[golfgal]

Facebook doesn't get to determine how I parent my child and monitor their computer use. And if that means I break their rule (which I don't believe applies to parents), so be it.

Sorry but everyone here is siting that it's the "rule" that kids under 13 can't be on the site but it's ok if parents want to break the rules. Can't have it both ways I say.

 

[SaraJayne]

Sorry but everyone here is siting that it's the "rule" that kids under 13 can't be on the site but it's ok if parents want to break the rules. Can't have it both ways I say.

Good thing your opinion doesn't matter to me.

 

[punkin]

Sorry but everyone here is siting that it's the "rule" that kids under 13 can't be on the site but it's ok if parents want to break the rules. Can't have it both ways I say.

I'm with you. My DD11 has an account and I have the password. I guess I break all the rules.

Actually I pretty much break the attendance rules at school too. I figure, I'm the parent-I decide.


*flame suit on*

 

[JoiseyMom]

DD14 didn't ask for one until this summer, and we said yes. But we have full access to her account and she knows this.

Now, I have been friended by a freinds DD9, and where I didn't tell the mom that her DD is too young, and should be 13. I did tell her that I don't have children on my page, as it may be inappropriate. It's not my place to tell parents how to parent, no matter how badly I want too!!

 

[kimblebee]

My daughter is almost 10 and she is begging me to let her get one. I have said not until she is 13 and I am dead set on sticking to that. She too says that most of her friends have pages already. I let her get an MSN account a few months ago so she could IM with her friends and that was even a struggle for me lol

I've also told her no cell phone until she is 12. Little does she know she is getting one for Christmas

 

[grumpeeduck]

The bottom line is if you are allowing your child, under the age of 13, to get a Facebook, then you are LYING to get one. Is that REALLY the message that you want your about-to-be teen to learn from you? Believe me, now is the time to instill as many GOOD morals as humanly possible.

 

[pixiewings71]

DD10 doesn't have one, she won't for a few more years, DD14 does, she started her FB page last year. I monitor her closely, she's on my Friends list and she's very aware of the rules. Occasionally I tell her I want to see her messages and she's fine with that, she tells me her pw and I check it out, I really feel it depends on each child and each parent should be making that choice with them. Unfortunately it seems that many parents don't get that involved....

 

[Anjelica]

So, all of you that have your child's password and access their accounts are breaking the Facebook rules-so that is ok but not allowing a 12 year old is not

Facebook, while on one hand cannot legally give you access to your childs account IF they are 13 and above (the age that they are considered a legal authorized user) due to privacy laws they DO encourage "...parents to exercise any discretion they can on their own computers and in overseeing their kids' internet use. If you are a parent, you might also consider using software tools on your own computer in order to do so...."

www.facebook.com/help/?safety#!/help/?faq=16104

They actually have a whole FAQ section on how to help guide your child in usage of facebook, etc. (i.e. getting unwanted messages, etc.).

 

[golfgal]

Facebook, while on one hand cannot legally give you access to your childs account IF they are 13 and above (the age that they are considered a legal authorized user) due to privacy laws they DO encourage "...parents to exercise any discretion they can on their own computers and in overseeing their kids' internet use. If you are a parent, you might also consider using software tools on your own computer in order to do so...."

www.facebook.com/help/?safety#!/help/?faq=16104

They actually have a whole FAQ section on how to help guide your child in usage of facebook, etc. (i.e. getting unwanted messages, etc.).

I just think it is hypocritical that parents will follow one rule and not the others...It's ok if Facebook parents for you telling you your child can't have one until they are 13 but it isn't ok if they tell you it is against their rules to access other people's accounts...

 

[SaraJayne]

Facebook, while on one hand cannot legally give you access to your childs account IF they are 13 and above (the age that they are considered a legal authorized user) due to privacy laws they DO encourage "...parents to exercise any discretion they can on their own computers and in overseeing their kids' internet use. If you are a parent, you might also consider using software tools on your own computer in order to do so...."

www.facebook.com/help/?safety#!/help/?faq=16104

They actually have a whole FAQ section on how to help guide your child in usage of facebook, etc. (i.e. getting unwanted messages, etc.).

 

[Acklander]

DS10 has had one for about a year now. His friends include grandparents/aunts/uncles/and cousins. We all live in different areas of the country so it's a nice way to keep in touch on the day to day things going on in our lives. Many of the relatives he doesn't get to see but every couple of years so this works out really well.. He has a few classmate friends and they will play restaurant world or farmville together, but not much else. DH and I are friends with him and have his password with security settings in place.

I don't think you can reallly come up with an average age, but more of a "are you comfortable with HOW your kids are using it". We're comfortable with it.

 

[mamacatnv]

Terms of service say 13 - It's not even open for discussion until then and DD knows that turning 13 is not an automatic yes.

I'm a stickler for age rules - my DD recently turned 12, no more kid meal prices, she is now adult prices for the movies, the local fair, the Rodeo etc. It would be easy to say she is 11, "whats the harm?" some would say.

I personally believe that it sets a bad example. When she is 17 and lies about being 18 or better she is 19/20 and lies to be 21. How do I argue the difference if I made it okay when she was 12?

 

[mommasita]

DS10 has had one for about a year now. His friends include grandparents/aunts/uncles/and cousins. We all live in different areas of the country so it's a nice way to keep in touch on the day to day things going on in our lives. Many of the relatives he doesn't get to see but every couple of years so this works out really well.. He has a few classmate friends and they will play restaurant world or farmville together, but not much else. DH and I are friends with him and have his password with security settings in place.

I don't think you can reallly come up with an average age, but more of a "are you comfortable with HOW your kids are using it". We're comfortable with it.

DD11, and ditto for us.

I do monitor EVERYTHING she does, as well as DS14.

Live and let live eh.

 

[jrmasm]

I just think it is hypocritical that parents will follow one rule and not the others...It's ok if Facebook parents for you telling you your child can't have one until they are 13 but it isn't ok if they tell you it is against their rules to access other people's accounts...

Aren't you funny. How about this? How about you email and ask Facebook if it is a violation of their user agreement for a parent to have logon information for their minor child? And then ask if it is a violation of their user agreement if a child under 13 signs up for an acccount.

Go ahead, I dare you.

 

[goofy's friends]

I'm in the "not a question until 13" crowd...Good post mamacatnv!!

DD13 just got hers. I am not "friends" with her, nor is she allowed to have anyone not her age on her account (except grandmas and aunt). I don't have kids on mine at all either. Adults often say things not realizing that a kid could be in the audience. So, it's best for us to stick with your own age. i do moniter regularly since I have her password, etc. So far, no problems.