Facebook testing out ways to allow kids under 13

victoria4321

You still kept your account after college. I actually only liked it when it was a college/alumni network.

That still doesn't answer for 6,526,740,000 people on earth [and potential subscribers]. If 30% of the world's population is under 18, that's still a market share of 4,568,718,000 people.

Not to mention, being a publicly traded company, why would Facebook try to ostracize such a crazy proportion of its users?
-wtk

Oh of course I know it makes sense for facebook money wise. I'm just saying I liked it better when it wasn't myspace.

k8blujay2

You still kept your account after college. I actually only liked it when it was a college/alumni network.

That still doesn't answer for 6,526,740,000 people on earth. Not to mention, being a publicly traded company, why would Facebook try to ostracize such a crazy proportion of its users?
-wtk

Seeing as it wasn't publically traded until last month, that's a moot point... and not every website must cater to everyone... And seeing as not even 1/6th of the population uses facebook to begin with... How would they know or care... they only way they would is if the permissions where restored to what they were before... However, if it had continued to stay a college/alum site, who would know or care if they can't get on it? There would always be something else that would cater to those that someone else doesn't.

Aleciajones

My 7 year old has a Facebook page. It doesn't accept messages from non friends, is not listed, and I believe i set it so it wouldn't receive friend requests. Family, her couple of friends (we homeschool) and her godmother are on there. The computer is in our school room, and in her free time she likes to play sims and chess. Why not just let her play games without a Facebook? Because she likes to type and chat with family. I can see the potential problems kids on Facebook could lead to but it's not a hard rule that there's always going to be a problem. I also realize not all parents are able to be watching 24/7.

kennethmgreen

In my personal opinion (as one that has had an account since 2004), the site has seriously degraded when they allowed everyone and their unborn fetus have an account. While it is fun and convienent to have access to family and friends that might not otherwise be on it (that's what Myspace was turned into, right?)... I can't handle people older than me airing out their dirty laundry like the 14 year olds as well.... it gets to be too much when you see very similar statuses about the "drama one doesn't want" coming from the immature adults and the children at the same time.

I am outraged that Facebook is allowing accounts for unborn fetuses.

BuckeyeBabe10

I remember the good old days when you had to actually be in college to use Facebook...I wish it would go back to that.

100% agree with you. Every time they change/update Facebook, it just plain gets worse.

callsitlikeiseeit

i draw the line at pets. my pets do not need facebook.

well, until they can type and have a coherent conversation in English!

all parents are different, and all kids are different. What works for one family, may not work for another. and thats ok.

KendleX

If it were to happen, I think Facebook would to automate a COPPA form which links to a confirmed parent/gaurdian online. Although... the account would be so locked down due to privacy laws that I don't think it would be much fun for the kid anyhow. I bet Facebook is looking at revenue stream towards online kid games and parents spending cash on "tokens".

http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/coppafaqs.shtm

The primary goal of COPPA and the Rule is to place parents in control over what information is collected from their young children online.

*Post a clear and comprehensive privacy policy on their website describing their information practices for children’s personal information;

* Provide direct notice to parents and obtain verifiable parental consent, with limited exceptions, before collecting personal information from children;

*Give parents the choice of consenting to the operator’s collection and internal use of a child’s information, but prohibiting the operator from disclosing that information to third parties;

*Provide parents access to their child’s personal information to review and/or have the information deleted;

*Give parents the opportunity to prevent further use or online collection of a child’s personal information;

*Maintain the confidentiality, security, and integrity of information they collect from children.