Comments on: Facebook mulls access for children under 13

By: Xuanlong

Xuanlong — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 22:06:00 +0000

The fact of the matter is that adults do use Facebook, and while it was intended for college students originally, that never included people under 18 or so. So to say that Facebook is or should be for ‘kids’ is not at all accurate. Facebook creates a lot of potential probems and even dangers for children. And even the best of parents out there can’t monitor their childen 24/7 or 100% of their online activity. They might not even be able to do so, if the kid doesn’t give up their password or add their parents. The millions of adults who already use the service won’t begin to censor themselves to accommodate the influx of younger children. For so many reasons, this is just a bad idea. The current age limit of 13 is very appropriate. But to mull changing it shows that Facebook is getting desperate. They don’t care about the privacy or safety of children, nor are they concerned with what types of content they could be exposed to. They just see more users they can collect data from and milk for ad revenue.

By: Good ol' JS

Good ol' JS — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 17:47:00 +0000

I agree with everyone that says Facebook is for kids. It was made for college aged kids, let it go back to the kids. Adults should be able to find another way of communicating with people. Like talking to them.

By: David Leese

David Leese — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 17:05:00 +0000

“Granted a parent would have to actually parent and be sure the children didn’t add anyone that might do or say things that are inappropriate. That would completely rule out everyone I know.” That just about says it all… There are already far too many parents not parenting, letting kids pretend to be adults years before they are ready. Kids need to stay disconnected more often and learn civility by real experience — “connect wirelessly” through face-to-face communication with human beings.

By: Danny

Danny — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:40:00 +0000

Facebook should be for kids NOT adults

By: Zareph

Zareph — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:31:00 +0000

“Personally, I never saw the reason why younger children shouldn’t be allowed to use Facebook.”

You can’t have kids and have made that statement. There is too much on Facebook that isn’t age appropriate for someone under 13. They will want to be friends with other adults, and adults of course don’t always self censor nor want too.

Also, Facebook is perfectly happy to let the child post things that the parent couldn’t see. Unless they create some kind of sub account that you have full control over you can’t ‘parent’ like you should as you point out. Let me control their security, not them.

They have a lot to do even >13 years of age. Parenting doesn’t stop then either.

However because of Facebook’s open graph stuff, it’s getting harder for kids to participate on TV websites and what not, because they require a Facebook account sometimes.

By: S.m. Tigeress

S.m. Tigeress — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:08:00 +0000

So stupid they should of thought of this from the beginning!!Theres no reason kids need a Facebook acct.Stupid parents letting little kids make grownup decisions!!

By: teabaghater

teabaghater — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:02:00 +0000

dah there already on there they just lie.

By: George

George — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 11:55:00 +0000

I’d rather we do this to Twitter.
Beliebers ruin the place.