The age limit on social networking has always been an issue for me. I did a paper on it last year and actually created my blog, “To Young For…” based on this very idea. As a mom of two ‘pre-teen’ boys, this issue is a biggie. My boys are both under the age limit for any social networking sites yet hthey both have a page. I decided tio let them keep them after I found out that they aleady had one. I felt that it was better for me to let them have one and control it instead of them sneaking around. I still really do think that they are way too young to understand the responsibility that comes behind what they post on the Web. The minimum age for these sites should at least be 16. I feel that at that age they should be able to be responsible and mature enough to understand what they post. Even at that age, they should still be monitored. So yes, my kids have their own web ‘page’, but every time they post I get a message to my phone. If it’s something I don’t like or think is appropriate, I go on or make them go on and take it off. Then we have the dreaded talk of why did you feel you should post that and why would you want people to know that etc.,etc.. They absolutely hate those conversations. So I figure the more we talk about it, the greater chance I have that they won’t do it again. So this weeks question....How young is to young for social networking?
As long as you monitor and have the talks, the age doesn't really matter, does it? It's the developing of the understanding that matters and that doesn't happen without the dreaded talks no matter how old they are. (I've got a 19 year old grandson that doesn't seem to know what he should not be saying on FB.) I think kids should be old enough to understand that they are communicating to other human beings (not fictional characters) before they get involved with social networking. Also, finding social networking sites or groups within them that link up together because of common interests might be good. Like, if your boys had a particular hobby you might be able to help them get involved with a site or a group that shares that hobby and then their SN time might take on a beneficial perspective. My daughter likes the Warrior cats book series by Erin Hunter. So she found a role play SN site that allows her to create new stories about the Warrior cat characters along with other people from all over the world. They write the stories together through a forum. It builds on her writing skills as well as her confidence in her ability to write creatively. And the site is safe for young people. It is monitored very well to keep the language and thought process clean and healthy. Maybe you could ask your kids to do some research to find SN sites that they like based on their interests and then you can check them out to see if they are safe and healthy. To tell you the truth, I think Facebook is pretty boring. Many people just bs and gossip on it which is not healthy at any age.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all Tontia, thank you for being a loyal follower of mu blog! Second, I really enjoy your blog! I have not had the pleasure of enjoying family life yet, and your antecdotes about your kids are so funny! And you are obviously a concerned parent. Our blogs have a lot in common in that we find humor in everyday life and we want our readers to learn something. Again, your blog is really so cute and I enjoy your writing. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI think your handling the situation wonderfully. Your giving them space but monitoring them (like all kids internet activities should be till their in late high school/college). Especially because your making it a point to talk to them about anything you see that might be potentially harmful and making them remove it. I monitor my sisters' Facebook in the same way and it really hits home for her why things might be bad to post online when I sit down and talk to her about it and how it can affect her really badly. I know she gets annoyed at these conversations sometimes but its for her own benefit (even if she wants to be a surly teenager about it sometimes!!).
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