At what age would you allow your child to use facebook?

I intend to raise my children apart from the social media trap. I was raised without a cellphone, without the internet, without social media and I intend to raise my child the same way.

Around 16 or so they will be allowed to have internet access and all that. But until then I am going to do my best to teach my child to interact with human beings apart from electronics. I think that's the best gift I can give my child. especially in this day and age where children text each other but don't know what to do or say when they're face to face.

I agree to an extent, but this is a different world from the one we grew up in. I think there can be a balance of both.

I got my first cellphone at the age of 24. I'm very grateful that I grew up in a different world. These days I hear teenagers saying things like: My cellphone is my LIFE!!! And it disturbs me.

Facebook is dangerous. And until someone is mature enough to use it wisely, I don't think they should have it. 16 would be the point where I'd say; I don't think you're mature enough to handle this BUT I am going to let you have it and if you mess up your privileges will be revoked. Simple as that.

Not all teens are like that. My kids do have cell phones and do text their friends but honestly they lose their cell phones and don't notice it until they can't find it to set their alarms. They really are not obsessed with them and use them for communication purposes only.

Same with the internet. My dd has a FB account and literally never posts on it. She doesn't care.

I'm going to say that as far as the internet goes unless you homeschool them you won't be able to avoid the internet. They all have to use the internet for homework assignments from a very early age on. I did homeschool my kids up until high school and even then they had to research things on the internet for assignments. It really is the world we live in.

Bottom line is teaching them to be responsible with the tools available to them. Set limits, stick to your guns and monitor everything. They'll be better off when they do join "the real world".

Totally agree Drielingda

Agree! People who think they are going too set an age and monitor everything are delusional.

Please. Technology is one of the easier things to monitor. Just because they might find a way to sneak around you does not absolve you of your responsibility as a parent.

High School

Thanks for the award. It's called raising strong, independent kids who don't take crap from others, ESPECIALLY on the internet.

Hah! Good luck with that. I really hope your kids AREN'T bullied on the internet because clearly if they are they will have zero support.

16-17

Agree! People who think they are going too set an age and monitor everything are delusional.

Please. Technology is one of the easier things to monitor. Just because they might find a way to sneak around you does not absolve you of your responsibility as a parent.

This. Its much harder to track down a keg party.......................

Really?! When all of their friends have their own computers and cell phones and email addresses and fake names on their facebook accounts and God knows what else? Um okay. Probably I'm just clueless

min age requirement for facebook is 13 so atleast 13. Maybe older? I haven't really thought about it, my oldest is 7 so we have a long ways to go:)

I'd say 16...

I don't have any kids but I'd say 16 is a good age.

Thanks for the award. It's called raising strong, independent kids who don't take crap from others, ESPECIALLY on the internet.

Hah! Good luck with that. I really hope your kids AREN'T bullied on the internet because clearly if they are they will have zero support.

No one *could* bully them on the internet. They are too smart and too strong. It's called high self-esteem and understanding how the internet works. :laugh:

*smh* Sure. Sure. Because it's that easy. Just keep believing that.

Just because you are letting your kids be social outcasts and behind the times doesn't mean it's for all parents. My daughter has, in fact, created her own forums before. She doesn't let random strangers hurt her feelings.

*BECAUSE* we have taught our kids how to use the internet and *about* the internet at such a young age, they are *very* savvy. My daughter is a straight A student who knows how to create her own webpage. In fact, when some "mean girls" were saying mean things to her on one of her forums, she created a brand new forum and brought her friends with her. She is above all the petty drama of a typical kid because we have raised her that way.

Putting your kids in a bubble will not protect them. Giving them tools and knowledge is what keeps kids safe.

We talk about *everything*

kids will find a way....

i should know, i was once one....

for instance....

the 12 year old goes to their friends house (parents at the friends house don't care if they go on the net)... your 12 yr old kid makes up a facebook account.. voila..

This is why I have all of her friends as friends on my page (I know more about them than she does lol), and occasionally search all of their pages for anything that resembles her (just in case she uses a fake name).............. My poor kid. I was such a wild child..... she will never slide one past me. You cant out fox the fox.

I don't know, I just don't think it's that easy, especially when some kids have 500 friends, as when I first started facebook I had 600 friends.. friends of friends of friends... hard to keep track at that point. Gotta give your kid some credit when it comes to being smart, I know I was pretty smart in outsmarting my parents.. haha.

I just find it being almost impossible with cell phones, computers, fake email addresses being acquired in a snap. Don't get me wrong, if I have kids, I'd try my hardest to monitor as well, but those who say they don't allow their kid to have one til this age, that which what kids can't have, they try their darndest to get.