Facebook for 10 year old?

Julie - posted on 08/08/2010

We just let my 11 yr old son have one. We don't use his real name, don't post a profile pic and the only friends he has are my hubby & me and a few close family members. He plays a few games and he wanted "neighbors" to play the games with.

Julie

www.HealthyFamilyBiz.com

Carol - posted on 08/08/2010

NO! If you allow a child under 13 to get a facebook page you are telling them that it is O.k. to sign a contract that says you are 13 when you are not. That is what you agree to when activating an account.

A child under 13 can definitely live without Facebook. Why open up the possibility of a prediter messaging them privately.

Many parents think that they have everything blocked while anyone with a Facebook account can send a private message to your child (one that does not appear on their wall, only in their private box).

Natalie - posted on 08/08/2010

I don't see anything wrong with it as long as you monitor her while she is on it. I have a 8year old who has a page and i go on it everyday to see who is adding him as a friend. I do all the work for him he just wants to play games. He not intrested in anything else but the games. It's all up to you and you know your kids tell them there are rules to have a page if they don't follow them shout it down.

Tanya - posted on 08/08/2010

I totally agree with you . Amanda

Amanda - posted on 08/08/2010

i know kids younger then 10 who have facebook/myspace... i have kids that rang in the ages of 4 and 10... i WILL NOT let them have one. I think 15 or 16 is a better age, i think that kids need to be kids and go outside and play.. not be glued to the TV, Video Games, or the Computer... but maybe thats wear i am old fashioned...

Steph - posted on 08/08/2010

Our dd wants one as well but now that I have read the replies it won't be happening. I won't lie to have my child get a Facebook page.

Thank you for asking the question.

Meena - posted on 08/08/2010

Hi Lori, Meena here from Bangalore,India.My son is 12 yrs old and he also has an id on facebook. I have restricted it and monitor what he does on it. I think you can go ahead and get your daughter an id but make sure you restrict it and keep monitoring her activities on it.

Alyssa - posted on 08/08/2010

My 5 yr. old has one~ I set him up 1 b/c he always moves my trees & plants in Farmville so I figured he'd stay off mine if he had his~ iu can make it completely private and only let close friends & family on :))

Tanya - posted on 08/08/2010

My daughter is 9 in October she wants one because her friends have one , my husband & I have said no , because we do not think it is appropriate , not until she is 18 will she get a face book account , her friends have mobile's , but we have told her she will not get one until she starts comprehensive school , as a parent I think you have to do what is best to protecet your children , lots of school age children get bullied via text messages , you do not know who is on face book , so I would say no , but when she is 18 she can have an account .

Karen - posted on 08/07/2010

I think that as long as a parent is involved, and you lock it down tight, and you keep control of things - it should be ok. My son has one - he found his biological father and wanted to get to know him and his wife...the rest are family on there...he doesn't know his login info only I do so I have control of when he is on there and so forth...it has been a great tool for him in the end - a way to learn and grow - perhaps a rare experience but it can happen.

Sharon - posted on 08/07/2010

10yrs I think it is a bit young for them to have a facebook account, there is no need for them to socialice on the facebook. Maybe when they are 13 or 14 years old, a little bit more mature.

Tova - posted on 08/07/2010

My almost 11 years old son has a facebook account and so my almost 10 years old daughter. I set their privacy up really high so that nobody can see their profile and personal infomation. I monitor their accounts all the time and know their password. My daughter goes on there just to play games. My son same but also most of his friends are on there. I make sure they only accept people they know and have majority of family members on there as well. I always keep checking their privacy section to make sure it stays that way. It's a great way to stay in contact with their friends through summer holidays and play games, that what they mostly go on for. :)

Amanda - posted on 08/07/2010

both my 13 yr old and my 11 yr old have facebook accounts. i'm on their friends list and i pay attention to what they're up to. they also have to use my computer so if i have reason to be concerned i can check the history. but they're good kids and don't do anything stupid. my 11 yr old just talks to her school friends (handy in summer) and plays alot of the facebook games. my son is too interested in video games most of the time anyway to be on the computer. i'm more concerned with limiting his time doing that actually. especially since he's starting highschool next month.

Sarah - posted on 08/07/2010

yes my 10yr old son has a facebook as long as u moniter it very closely she will be fine x

Stephanie - posted on 08/07/2010

Besides being concered with the open dangers of Fb for girls at a critical age; my next condern is the fact that fb reqires the child to be 13 yrs of age before they sign up. Yes, many people we know allow their children to fudge their age so they can get on and be connected with their friends. But are we not trying to teach them to be honest at all times. Fudging about their age to get on fb isn't a good start. I will not consider my 11 yr. old twins to get one until they even meet fb's reqirements.

Ruth - posted on 08/07/2010

I wouldent let them have one....However if there is a game/app they like I have it on my account.....My son is 5 and loves playing a fish game so I have it on my account and when he want's too play I set it up for him and when he is done he just leaves it for me too shut down, Mind you also I dont have anything on my facebook account I wouldent want my boy's see :)

Kathy - posted on 08/07/2010

I have a 10 year old and I was going to allow him to get one. Just so he could keep in contact with his grandparents and aunt and uncles. But then it said you had to be 13 years old. He said"No that's ok, I can wait..I don't want to lie about my age.". I was so proud of him...I wasn't going to lie about his age either, but I am glad he said it first. I just think that would be the beginning of those little white lies...

Christine - posted on 08/07/2010

NO! Federal law is 13 years of age. If you know someone under 13 that has Facebook they are breaking the law and should be reported. My Space is 14 years, and to have a You Tube account it's 14 too.

Leslie - posted on 08/07/2010

I don't think that facebook is safe for children. There is another site called Togetherville and it's like a facebook for the younger set. I have my daughter on this and she loves it.

Elizabeth - posted on 08/07/2010

No. You can add her friends to your list, and she can talk to them from there. If they don't want to say something that you can see, you don't want her to here it. I have an e-mail account set up, that only immediate family knows about for my almost 10 year old. We set it up this year because his grandparents travel a lot and that is the easiest way for him to talk to them.

Katie - posted on 08/07/2010

That is a lot of energy wasted on something unimportant. Tell the child to go outside and play, make some art, take music, soccer, something besides connecting via virtual "friendships". Teach your child to actually make the friends they will later want to keep up with! fb, in my opinion, is for those of us who have friends and family we cannot connect with on a face to face basis (because we have kids, moved away after college, etc) ~ If you must monitor so very closely why don't you do the sharing for them and do the computer "activity" together rather than over their shoulder. Common Sense should overrule what a kid "wants"; they will want a lot but as a parent it is your job to say NO sometimes.

Katie - posted on 08/07/2010

add 'childrens page' tab to your fb just like you would 'notes, boxes, music, causes, info, photos'

Anne - posted on 08/07/2010

My daughter is 10 and has had her own fb page for a month or so. She signed up with one of my email addresses - so I know more about what's going on on her page than she does! All notifications, messages, friend requests etc come to me - then we sit for half an hour at night - after homework, together, on my computer, and go through her page and she can message her friends. It's a lot cheaper than phoning or texting, and if you set it up carefully and monitor what friends are doing, you can control it. She understands the dangers - she has an older brother of 20 who lectures her more often than I do about not giving out personal information - but to keep her from participating in something that is part of the world they live in seems useless- they'll sign up at a friend's house and sneak around behind your back - and then you have no way to control anything.

Michelle - posted on 08/07/2010

Replying to Tia: You think it is important for your children to have what their friends have? Does this mean if your childs friend gets a Porcha for his/her birthday you are going to go out and buy your child one. Children need to learn to work for what they want and want what they work for. Not to expect to get everything they want just because their friends have it.

Tia - posted on 08/07/2010

My daughter has just turned 7 and has had a facebook for 1 year now. I control it and check it reguarly to ensure no problems. She also knows that if she talks or adds anyone without asking me that her account will be deleted immedietly, no questions asked!! I am very strict on who she can have as friends and who can see her profile. She doesnt use her real name so the only people who can find her on facebook are those who she invites not the other way around. I think it's important for children to have what their friends have as much as possible otherwise they end up at a disadvantage. Good luck

Anita - posted on 08/06/2010

my daughter is 12 should i let her on? and where are these pages for kids.

Katie - posted on 08/06/2010

I think not. That is EXACTLY what this group is for. Add her to your facebook ~ family and friends and wait until she is fluent in "adult" reading comprehension and writing; otherswise share pix and update with your facebook.

Christina - posted on 08/06/2010

I think you'll know if you're child is ready for a facebook. I believe it's a lot safer than myspace and if you keep a close eye on what she's doing on the account all will be OK. Also, sit her down and explain the dangers of the internet; for instance people she doesn't know, spam, cyber bullying and such. My daughter has one and she's 5.

Alissa - posted on 08/06/2010

I gave my some a facebook page and I monitor it the whole time he is on it. I only allow my child to converse with family members also. If he plays a game that has chat, we cut it off! Think about all the children that age with cell phones! I think that's the bigger concern! At least facebook is free!

Trinna - posted on 08/06/2010

i will not let mine until she is 13...too many bad things happen to kids on the computer..yes yes i know everyone says they monitor but creeps still get through..

Jessica - posted on 08/06/2010

I think its fine, my 7 year old has one, It's how she keeps in touch with her birth moms family and relatives that live out of state. She ins't allowed to have the password till she is 14 and she isn't allowed to be on it unless her dad or I are with her. I think as long as you monitor it closely its fine.

Keisha - posted on 08/06/2010

No. I truly think this is a bad idea. I wouldn't let her get one if I were you. She is much much to young to be exposed to the things that pop up on facebook, whether it be the ads or the uncontrolled, unsupervised, undisciplined children that she may add as "friends" or by default will have access to because her "friends" have them as "friends". Don't do it. Computers should not be used for this purpose for a child of this age. At this age communication can be done with no problem over the phone whether it be family or friends.

Rachel - posted on 08/06/2010

10.. no.. My almost 13 yr old son has one. And its just his friends and our family. My younger daughters use my acct for games and all the above is very supervised.

Jennifer - posted on 08/06/2010

My girls ages 9 and 10 each have one... they are set to private which means no one but friends and/or family can see their profiles. I also don't have a photo of them on their profile... I have a landscape picture that was already on my computer for each of them. They also have togetherville which is like facebook for kids. I would have only had them on togetherville had I known about it sooner but.... togetherville doesn't have a chat option which is part of the appeal of facebook. The girls also know that they must get permission before approving any friend requests. They only play games and chat with their friends so I'm okay with it. I think that since your daughter already has some friends to chat with and if she knows the rules for using it, that it should be fine. I hope this helps you with your decision.



I wanted to add that I wasn't the one who set up the facebook pages for my girls... it was my SIL (without my permission) and believe me she got an earful from both my husband and I. But I felt like since I am now monitoring them and I have since blocked their profiles and they don't get on very often that I wouldn't punish them for their aunt's bad judgment.

Melissa - posted on 08/06/2010

I don't think that a 10 year old needs to have a facebook page. There is to much on here that they don't need to see or do. My kids are on the computer enough, with me monitering them, and add a facebook page to it, they would never get off. My son, however does have a cell phone, and thats only to be used for er phone calls, when his over at a friends house or grandparents house and wants to come home, and during the school year so he can call me to let me know that him and his sister are home from school, and no I don't have a house phone.

Melanie - posted on 08/06/2010

Thanks for posting this question. My 10 year old has been asking me for an account too.

Racheal - posted on 08/06/2010

i just recently set up one for my 5 year old, who also has a cell phone. i think its a great way for him to feel "connected" to our family with out the need for us to call for him. he only can call me his dad and 911..it does have texting and i get sweet messages like i love you through out the day. :)

Laura - posted on 08/06/2010

my 10yr old has one and im not saying all should but if you have a child with a good head on their shoulders and you set up the account and can monitor it some then i dont see why not. now the kids are on a faster track then us and if they can do it and it doesnt hurt i think let them so they keep up with modern technology.

Debra - posted on 08/06/2010

I have the same challenge. However, I don't feel that just because everyone else has it she should have it too. Some things were not meant for kids and I think facebook is one of them. When you open that door... not only are you parenting your child but all the other children that are on that don't have that same parent to watch over them. A friend of mine is doing the exact thing... if you are spending more time on watching what they do on line and blocking all the stuff they see then maybe it is not the time for them to move forward with this. kids lead by their emotions... will they do something that as a kids is harmless but as it hits the net becomes something totally different.

Bilikis - posted on 08/06/2010

The truth about technology these days'that,there're lots of good than evil.But unfortunately,the negativity gets more attention that the benefits.I don't think you can clearly say"she shouldn't use it or not".If you trust your daughter and committed to ensuring her"safety" on the web,it'd be a lot safer.I really get disturbed when I hear about child predators using the web to contact kids&all the ugly tales.Facebook is a "Social website" and honestly, a child can do better than get into this socializing means for now!
But then again,the choice is yours.No one can really tell you what to do.You need to weigh your options and decide what's best for your daughter.
Best wishes!

Suzanne - posted on 08/06/2010

we have alowed our almost 10 year old to have it we check it regularly and he is not alowed to befreind anyone without our permission and we blocked out what we do not want him to have acsess to.we have family far away that facebook and email have given him the chance to get to know.and he understands lying about his age is bad and he otherwise does not do it.
besides we trust him to use his head

Michelle - posted on 08/06/2010

My soon to be 10 years old wants a facebook account. I have told her it is not appropriate for a young lady of her age to have one. The reason being it is to easy for people I do not know to friend her and me not know it. In a few years I might feel differently but at this age I believe 10 is to young.

Janine - posted on 08/06/2010

It is strictly your decision and as a mother i would strongly believe in monitoring what she does and who she talks to. The unfortunate thing about facebook is that ppl can see part of your profile and ask to be accepted as a friend - this causes distress as I believe alot of young ppl boys and girls might like to take advantage of getting as many "friends" as they can. The story of late was a man posing as a teenager and making "friends" with a young girl - of course you can only imagine how this ended. Thankfully in the UK they now have a system which allows young children to prevent or report suspicious behaviour, this needs to be implemented in every country for the protection of our young. Now on a different note - I am friends with a little girl of eleven years - she is my friends daughter and i have known her since birth. Her profile reads poorly - saying she has a mean sister and never see's her mother. I was talking to her the other night and asked if her grand father or father monitor what she says and does and I asked her if she actually knew all the ppl she was speaking too, she said yes, but i know she way fibbing. This upsets me because this is a child who could get easily carried away with facebook and maybe make the wrong choice. We would all like to believe that our children are smart enough to know and avoid the signs and to only accept real friends but personally given i too have a ten almost eleven year old daughter, do not think she is ready despite what would be my over curious and nosey ways :) Good Luck tho whatever your choice x

Schmoopy - posted on 08/06/2010

Facebook accounts are not legal for children under the age of 13.

Claire - posted on 08/05/2010

i have a 10 year old daughter too who is wanting to go onto mixit on her phone and onto facebook, i have not allowed it as i have a 13 year old nephew who constantly sits on mixit when he should be concentrating on other things. its things like this that allow our kids to grow up to quick, i would tell her to wait a bit, let her enjoy other things instead of sitting on facebook.

Natasha - posted on 08/05/2010

My daughter is also 10 and recently asked if she can have a Facebook page. I said no. I don't think kids that young need to be on social networking sites. I much rather she connects with her friends the old fashioned way, on a personal level, where I (and she) can have face to face contact with her friends and their parents. I also worry about exposing her too much to the world wide web. You can set certain parental controls, and my daughter and I have discussed never to share personal information on the web, but the problem with Facebook is if you are "friends" with somebody, you have access to whatever their friends post and it may not always be appropriate for young kids.

Nayda - posted on 08/05/2010

i would say no... only because having a facebook account can only open her eyes to other chat sites behind your back... and alot of things can happen. such as viewing others pics, talking to boys, and private chatting... remember the rules in your house is one thing. it doesnt mean that those same rules apply to her friends and there friends home.
just my opinion!! good luck.

Kristen - posted on 08/05/2010

For the parents who say they use FB for their kids to stay connected with family members, have you heard of Skype? You should look into it, better experience for kids that age!

Kristen - posted on 08/05/2010

I think at ten they should be on the Nickelodeon version of chat rooms, play areas and such. But everyone is a parent in their own ways. I have had younger family members and family friends add me, and I would have to remember that they could see what I write, pics I post (somethings at that age they shouldnt see) and I just ended up deleting them and blocking them. I didnt wanna have to watch what I say and do to protect them at that age. I lived perfectly fine w/o FB at that age! All my opinion of course!

Morgan - posted on 08/05/2010

does anyone knw how many pedifiles are on facebook? i wouldnt let my 10 year old son or daughter have a facebook. it exposes them to too many preditors. even with you as a parent monitoring every move its to risky in my oppinion.