Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

My cousins are very young and my aunt and uncle keep a close eye on them. The kids were allowed Facebook accounts when they were 12-13.

However, they did not have smart phones. The computer was in the kitchen and they were only allowed to be on the computer for about 1-2 hours after school and they had to do their homework. They had to friend their parent, so the parents could see what they were posting and if they ever did anything appropriate, they lost their computer privileges.

DH and I have young kids, so we haven't had to cross this border yet, but our thinking is similar. The computer will be in a public space in the house so we can watch what they are doing and if they get social accounts, we will be watching what they post. Time will tell if this works.

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

My boys are only just turning 3 and 5 - by the time they're 'old enough' I think high school is going to be unreasonable.

Probably middle school - as long as it's ridiculously monitored .....

if your kid has a smartphone, or internet access, they can get on facebook - I'd rather KNOW and have some control then 'forbid' it and have it done behind my back

In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

16/17 for Facebook - my 13 yr has an Instagram account but she had to have me as a friend so I can monitor it. There is no reason for the Facebook/Twitter yet. 4th grade is way to young IMO

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

For Instragram i would say 12 but FB or twitter at least 15.

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

I'd say 16 and I'd even do the parental controls and have the emails coming to me.

In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

My stepson had FB since he was 13 and is now almost 16. Thankfully, when he was 13-14, he was barely on it. Now, he is on it more frequently. I think 13 was a bit too young. I would say around 15 at the earliest is an ok age to start w/FB

In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

Instagram- Junior High (12)
FB- High School (13/14)

Personally, I feel if they're still in Elementary school, that's too young for any type of social media.

Message edited 3/4/2014 10:44:46 AM.

In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

My sister got hers when she was 12ish. The ONLY computer in the house at the time was in the dining room, and the deal was that she had to give both parents the log in and password, AND she had to leave it open when she was done so that one parent could look it over. My father also joined at the same time to be "friends" with her as another way to monitor what was going on. My sister is a rare kid, she's turning 16 this year and one of the most amazing kids I've known. She's in the "nerdy" group at school - she's in the band, does the plays, is in all honors/ap classes, is part of the student counsel, young scholars program, she teaches in the summer at a day camp for autistic and down syndrome kids, and she is a major sci-fi/bbc nerd (who, sherlock, trek, etc). So, she's not your typical long island teen girl... that said, she still has to follow those same rules - and my dad & step mom STILL require her to give them access to all email and social media accounts.

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

I am surprised with many of these posts with such high ages. Maybe because I have older kids.

My 15 year old has had facebook for probably about 3 years. She barely uses it anymore as she uses twitter which she has used for about a year and a half. Instagram too for awhile.

My 10 year old has had facebook but he only uses it for games and I see nothing wrong with that. He asks us who he can friend and most of them are for games. No twitter or instagram yet.

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

Message edited 3/4/2014 11:12:24 AM.

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

16

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

my niece is 11 and doesn't have a facebook page, but her friends do
my cousin is 15 and has one
i would say 15-16 with the proper parental controls

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by jessnbrian

Posted by afternoondelight828

Posted by jessnbrian

My sister is a rare kid, she's turning 16 this year and one of the most amazing kids I've known. She's in the "nerdy" group at school - she's in the band, does the plays, is in all honors/ap classes, is part of the student counsel, young scholars program, she teaches in the summer at a day camp for autistic and down syndrome kids, and she is a major sci-fi/bbc nerd (who, sherlock, trek, etc). So, she's not your typical long island teen girl... .

Not to start anything but what do you mean by "She's not your typical long island teen girl"?

Exactly how I described her - she's nerdy, which in MY experience, is not typical. She doesn't go to parties, her idea of a good time is not going shopping, she'd rather read.

Certainly not like I was at that age. perhaps I should have said, she's not a typical teenage girl, forget about LI.

ETA: I meant the social aspects of teenage life, many girls (myself included) are/were in the honors courses in HS, I was referring more to her extracurriculars, how many teenage girls CHOSE to spend their time volunteering then actually working for a camp for special needs children out of desire and not because they are being forced to?

I get what you are saying, and from what I've seen and experienced, that seems to be the exception, not the norm of teens today. Not necessarily a LI thing I don't think, but probably just a society in general thing today.

My son is 15, has had FB since around 14. He is an introvert, and only has a couple of friends on there. He only uses FB to play games though, and message one of his friends regarding getting together. He doesn't post on any statuses, pages, etc. I monitor it, know the password, and actually check it at least once a week. I usually have to tell HIM he has a message from his friend

In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

When the child's parent feels it's appropriate for them.

I don't believe you can slap a number on and decide that way. You can have a mature 10 year old and an immature 13 year old. You need to base it off your child, what you have taught them regarding internet safety, and how mature you feel they will be regarding that freedom.

My 10 year old has instagram, I follow him, he posts minecraft photos only between him and his school friends they all have IG. I have his password. He does not have internet access unless I give him my phone or tablet to play on in front of me.
I do not feel there is a need for him to have facebook for a long time to come. I also do not know any of his friends that do. It was my judgment call based upon my child.

I'm surprised at some of the golden numbers people are throwing out there.

Message edited 3/4/2014 12:16:23 PM.

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

Technology changes. I am hoping to hold off to High School. Ask me 5years when I thought they should have a phone and I would say the same, yet in her elementary they have to tell the children to put their phones away!

In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for

I won't allow my girls on social media until they are at least 13- the minimum age required (for FB at least)

Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for