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DiamondGirl
You are my I love you
Member since 7/09 18802 total posts
Name:
DiamondMama
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by 2boys1girl
I'm surprised at some of the golden numbers people are throwing out there.
I have to agree. Maybe because everyone's kids are younger but things change when your kids are older and there really is not a "magic" number for anything. I have always monitored my kids social media and I still read my dd's twitter account even though she is going to be 16 this year. Middle school was the worst, IME with social media.
Exactly--I work with middle school aged kids and based on this experience I feel that they should NOT have social media
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Posted 3/4/14 1:37 PM  |
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Posted by DiamondGirl
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by 2boys1girl
I'm surprised at some of the golden numbers people are throwing out there.
I have to agree. Maybe because everyone's kids are younger but things change when your kids are older and there really is not a "magic" number for anything. I have always monitored my kids social media and I still read my dd's twitter account even though she is going to be 16 this year. Middle school was the worst, IME with social media.
Exactly--I work with middle school aged kids and based on this experience I feel that they should NOT have social media
Yep, the younger ones (who are not supposed to be on there anyway) and the older ones are fine. It is that middle age where they are hitting puberty and hormones are raging. The girls are the worst too.
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| Posted 3/4/14 1:41 PM |
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Ayne11
Yep
Member since 1/09 18021 total posts
Name:
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
High School.... Middle School IMO is THE WORST time period for kids, so why exacerbate it with social media?
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| Posted 3/4/14 1:47 PM |
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HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
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In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Ugh, I'd say as long as humanly possible. Unfortunately, that's not reality. Kids are going on social media at younger and younger ages and that is some scary shit! You don't want your kid to be the "odd man out" but who wants to expose them to the insanity that is the interwebz. No matter how you slice it you can't win.
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| Posted 3/4/14 1:53 PM |
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mrsBLT
missing my baby
Member since 1/10 1359 total posts
Name:
Brittany
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In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Facebook started as a college-only site. I remember being so excited to accept my acceptance and get my .edu email account so I could finally sign up haha.
It should have stayed that way.
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| Posted 3/4/14 2:20 PM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
I have a 16 yr old SS and he didnt get his till 12yrs old, so I know whats it like to have and raise a teen already. But he was more into Video games and never logged on. He didnt really start using it till 13..
I still stand by my 14 for FB.
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| Posted 3/4/14 3:59 PM |
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busymomonli
Resident Insomniac
Member since 4/13 2050 total posts
Name:
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In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
My daughter is 14 and has had one since 10. It started out as a game only account (meaning I was only allowing it for games like Farmville). She's never abused it, and is really responsible about putting anything out there.
Having said that, NONE of the teenagers use Facebook anymore. It's become obsolete for teens. Instagram is the place to be. And let me tell you, if you could see the pictures that the kids put up on there you would DIE. I have seen it all. They post pictures of them lighting up a joint, making out with boyfriends, girls and guys in sexual positions, boob shots, ass shots, you name it. More bullying goes on there than any other form of social media. They make up accounts to rate one another, hot or not, who would you sleep with. It is crazy.
Second on my list is Snapchat. You send a picture to someone via IM and it hits there screen for 2 seconds and disappears. Problem is kids can screenshot it. So that nudie picture you just sent your boyfriend of one week? Its now all over the school.
I could bowl you over with some of the pictures I've seen.
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| Posted 3/4/14 4:12 PM |
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Naturalmama
Love my boys!!
Member since 1/12 3548 total posts
Name:
Christine
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In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
My BFF's stepdaughter will be 12 in May and she has had a FB & an instagram account since she was 10. In the beginning she was only on it when she was on the family computer or her mother's ipad, but she got an iphone for her 11th birthday and all hell broke loose after that. She was on it all the time through the app...and, being only 11, had no idea that some of the things she was posting were simply unsafe. I am friends with her, and I remember right before the 1st day of school, she posted a picture of the bus route and tagged all of her friends in it so they could talk about who was on the same bus. Addresses & bus stops were posted there, for all to see. She posts where she is, she checks in constantly, she posts when her dance recital is & where it is, when she has cheerleading competitions, she even posted my BFF's phone #...she posted on her friends wall, "my phone is dead, call my dad or stepmom's phone, I am there this weekend. Their numbers are"...needless to say her mom deleted her account in January and she was told she can try again once she gets into high school.
So, I think once you get into smart phones and having constant access, it can get tricky...but if she will only be able to log on through your home computer, it may be ok.
Message edited 3/4/2014 4:22:28 PM.
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| Posted 3/4/14 4:19 PM |
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drpepper318
MIR MIR MIR!
Member since 6/07 8274 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
18
But I also don't think a kid needs a cell phone before then either (maybe a prepaid one with very few minutes, for safety, not for socializing)
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| Posted 3/4/14 4:50 PM |
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Bluechristmas
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/09 595 total posts
Name:
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
I'm not so sure some 30 year olds should have it either
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| Posted 3/4/14 5:59 PM |
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Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
Member since 5/05 27567 total posts
Name:
Janice
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In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Not sure of "realistic" comments...
But for my kids...maybe during the summer at ages 16/17...but social media bullying contributed to my cousin throwing herself in front of a moving express bus. That is realistic to me.
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| Posted 3/4/14 6:19 PM |
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Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
Member since 5/05 27567 total posts
Name:
Janice
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Posted by drpepper318
18
But I also don't think a kid needs a cell phone before then either (maybe a prepaid one with very few minutes, for safety, not for socializing)
This is exactly. No smartphones.
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| Posted 3/4/14 6:19 PM |
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Posted by drpepper318
18
But I also don't think a kid needs a cell phone before then either (maybe a prepaid one with very few minutes, for safety, not for socializing)
So a child should never socialize? I do think kids need a phone by middle school, not a smartphone as my oldest did not have one and my youngest will not have one.
Socializing is different now then it was when we were kids. Many families don't even have home phones so a cellphone is their main access to contact someone.
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| Posted 3/4/14 7:12 PM |
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Posted by Janice
Not sure of "realistic" comments...
But for my kids...maybe during the summer at ages 16/17...but social media bullying contributed to my cousin throwing herself in front of a moving express bus. That is realistic to me.
That is horrible but I think you will change your mind once your kids get older. 16/17 is very old and it is a different time with technology.
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| Posted 3/4/14 7:14 PM |
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evrythng4areason
And then there were 4
Member since 1/10 5224 total posts
Name:
Kayla
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by drpepper318
18
But I also don't think a kid needs a cell phone before then either (maybe a prepaid one with very few minutes, for safety, not for socializing)
So a child should never socialize? I do think kids need a phone by middle school, not a smartphone as my oldest did not have one and my youngest will not have one.
Socializing is different now then it was when we were kids. Many families don't even have home phones so a cellphone is their main access to contact someone.
This exactly. I'm sure our kids will have a regular cell phone by 7 or 8, bc we don't even have a home phone. A smart phone once they get a job and can pay for data.
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| Posted 3/4/14 7:18 PM |
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mattsgirl1013
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/13 683 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
I teach 5th grade and out of my 31 students, probably 28 of them have instagram (the school newspaper did a survey about it). I just feel like it's young for that. I used to teach 4th grade and all the kids that had social media sites were the ones that got into trouble (mostly cyber bullying) and that drama was brought into the school. I just think that the negatives outweigh the positives when it comes to social media and kids.
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| Posted 3/4/14 7:27 PM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Posted by Janice
Posted by drpepper318
18
But I also don't think a kid needs a cell phone before then either (maybe a prepaid one with very few minutes, for safety, not for socializing)
This is exactly. No smartphones.
I dont have a smartphone but the last time I got a new cell phone the guy in the store said any day now they will ONLY make smartphones. I guess maybe you can not get a data plan for internet.
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| Posted 3/4/14 7:40 PM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Posted by evrythng4areason
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by drpepper318
18
But I also don't think a kid needs a cell phone before then either (maybe a prepaid one with very few minutes, for safety, not for socializing)
So a child should never socialize? I do think kids need a phone by middle school, not a smartphone as my oldest did not have one and my youngest will not have one.
Socializing is different now then it was when we were kids. Many families don't even have home phones so a cellphone is their main access to contact someone.
This exactly. I'm sure our kids will have a regular cell phone by 7 or 8, bc we don't even have a home phone. A smart phone once they get a job and can pay for data.
I agree. My 10 yo comes home and tells me about her peers with iPhones. Crazy!
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| Posted 3/4/14 7:42 PM |
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LittleBlueBug
Happy Mommy
Member since 9/06 4074 total posts
Name:
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
When they are old enough to afford their own computer...and internet connection...and own home...lol
Honestly, I do not see any point in having a child...who sees their friends 5 days per week minimum for a full day...have social media. It's used, abused, and it's a distraction. Seriously, when do kids even have time for this stuff? From what I have seen of common core, aren't they too busy trying to figure out 6,000 ways to add 8+3?
ETA: as far as a phone, we will likely get a land line by the time DS is of age to really talk to friends on the phone. I don't look at mindlessly staring at a phone or computer as "socializing" at all. Half of the population would walk right off of a cliff without even knowing what happened because they are too pre-occupied with their "smart" phone. Over the weekend our family was at smithhaven mall. I didn't know walking could be such a hazard! I had to pull DS out of the way a bunch of times because adults were walking distracted by the glowing hypnosis of whatever text or facebook/tritter notification they have. DS will have a pre-paid cell phone with a few minutes for safety only. I'm not paying for a kid to have a fancier cell phone than I have. Half these kids don't even know how to have a conversation anymore. It's pathetic really.
I know I'm old fashioned. Oh well. When he gets a job and moves out he can do what he wants. Until then he lives by my rules. He does not need to text. He does not need to have a facebook or twitter.
Message edited 3/4/2014 9:33:06 PM.
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| Posted 3/4/14 9:23 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Posted by stinger
Posted by evrythng4areason
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by drpepper318
18
But I also don't think a kid needs a cell phone before then either (maybe a prepaid one with very few minutes, for safety, not for socializing)
So a child should never socialize? I do think kids need a phone by middle school, not a smartphone as my oldest did not have one and my youngest will not have one.
Socializing is different now then it was when we were kids. Many families don't even have home phones so a cellphone is their main access to contact someone.
This exactly. I'm sure our kids will have a regular cell phone by 7 or 8, bc we don't even have a home phone. A smart phone once they get a job and can pay for data.
I agree. My 10 yo comes home and tells me about her peers with iPhones. Crazy!
Tonight at my DD's ballet class, an older group was in there, but I would say they were like 10/11/12. ALL of them had iphones.
My DD is almost 7, and I can't imagine even buying her a cell phone. For what? She is no where alone that she would need to call me.
My son JUST got a regular non smart phone this school year (9th grade), for purposes of calling me to let me know when he has to stay after, etc. They are allowed in our HS, but they were not allowed in middle school.
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| Posted 3/4/14 9:46 PM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Posted by LittleBlueBug
When they are old enough to afford their own computer...and internet connection...and own home...lol
Honestly, I do not see any point in having a child...who sees their friends 5 days per week minimum for a full day...have social media. It's used, abused, and it's a distraction. Seriously, when do kids even have time for this stuff? From what I have seen of common core, aren't they too busy trying to figure out 6,000 ways to add 8+3?
ETA: as far as a phone, we will likely get a land line by the time DS is of age to really talk to friends on the phone. I don't look at mindlessly staring at a phone or computer as "socializing" at all. Half of the population would walk right off of a cliff without even knowing what happened because they are too pre-occupied with their "smart" phone. Over the weekend our family was at smithhaven mall. I didn't know walking could be such a hazard! I had to pull DS out of the way a bunch of times because adults were walking distracted by the glowing hypnosis of whatever text or facebook/tritter notification they have. DS will have a pre-paid cell phone with a few minutes for safety only. I'm not paying for a kid to have a fancier cell phone than I have. Half these kids don't even know how to have a conversation anymore. It's pathetic really.
I know I'm old fashioned. Oh well. When he gets a job and moves out he can do what he wants. Until then he lives by my rules. He does not need to text. He does not need to have a facebook or twitter.
Here's the problem with this: people don't talk on the phone anymore! Adults and kids! Kids text each other if they have a question about hw. Email is even old fashioned now! I had a mom that I never spoke with and don't know what she looks like text me to invite DD to her DDs party.
So although I agree with you and am old fashioned as well it's not today's reality. If we tell our kids in middle school that they MUST call their friend they will feel like a freak and I don't want to do that to my children either.
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| Posted 3/4/14 9:59 PM |
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LittleBlueBug
Happy Mommy
Member since 9/06 4074 total posts
Name:
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Posted by stinger
Posted by LittleBlueBug
When they are old enough to afford their own computer...and internet connection...and own home...lol
Honestly, I do not see any point in having a child...who sees their friends 5 days per week minimum for a full day...have social media. It's used, abused, and it's a distraction. Seriously, when do kids even have time for this stuff? From what I have seen of common core, aren't they too busy trying to figure out 6,000 ways to add 8+3?
ETA: as far as a phone, we will likely get a land line by the time DS is of age to really talk to friends on the phone. I don't look at mindlessly staring at a phone or computer as "socializing" at all. Half of the population would walk right off of a cliff without even knowing what happened because they are too pre-occupied with their "smart" phone. Over the weekend our family was at smithhaven mall. I didn't know walking could be such a hazard! I had to pull DS out of the way a bunch of times because adults were walking distracted by the glowing hypnosis of whatever text or facebook/tritter notification they have. DS will have a pre-paid cell phone with a few minutes for safety only. I'm not paying for a kid to have a fancier cell phone than I have. Half these kids don't even know how to have a conversation anymore. It's pathetic really.
I know I'm old fashioned. Oh well. When he gets a job and moves out he can do what he wants. Until then he lives by my rules. He does not need to text. He does not need to have a facebook or twitter.
Here's the problem with this: people don't talk on the phone anymore! Adults and kids! Kids text each other if they have a question about hw. Email is even old fashioned now! I had a mom that I never spoke with and don't know what she looks like text me to invite DD to her DDs party.
So although I agree with you and am old fashioned as well it's not today's reality. If we tell our kids in middle school that they MUST call their friend they will feel like a freak and I don't want to do that to my children either.
Please dont take this the wrong way, but I think the reason it is that way is because it's allowed to be that way. If people wouldn't give their kids Iphones, would they still be texting everything vs talking to someone? Based on what kids do these days with social media and how bullying has changed, I would rather him be a freak during school hours than be bombarded with God knows what in school, after school, etc.
This shouldn't be the norm. Kids are kids...not little adults. They need to stop being treated that way. Maybe my view will change later on, but I can't imagine spending the money on it. I don't even really want to spend it on myself. I don't want him having full access to the internet either.
ETA: Not for nothing, but if DS is going to be judged on what pricey high tech gadgets he has, well he's going have more issues than a phone. Those things are not a financial priority for us. Where do people get all this money to shower fancy ipads and iphones and the like? I don't even have a tablet? At all. For myself!!! Why is this even being judged as important? Why are we telling and SHOWING our kids this is important?
I'm sorry for the rant. It boggles my mind. I see people that don't have a pot to piss in with all this stuff and it drives me nuts! When do people realize they can make their own decisions and make some things a priority and others not? It is this way because people decide it should be that way.
Message edited 3/5/2014 9:05:53 AM.
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| Posted 3/5/14 8:43 AM |
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busymomonli
Resident Insomniac
Member since 4/13 2050 total posts
Name:
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Posted by stinger
Here's the problem with this: people don't talk on the phone anymore! Adults and kids! Kids text each other if they have a question about hw. Email is even old fashioned now! I had a mom that I never spoke with and don't know what she looks like text me to invite DD to her DDs party.
So although I agree with you and am old fashioned as well it's not today's reality. If we tell our kids in middle school that they MUST call their friend they will feel like a freak and I don't want to do that to my children either.
I agree with this. Many of the people who are quoting high ages are the ones with small children now. I said I wouldn't do it, and here I am. My daughter has an Iphone. The fact is, kids who don't have social media and phones are ousted by the other kids and made fun of. Fortunately, my daughter realizes that what she does on social media is forever. It won't go away. So she is responsible. To me, thats whats lacking, education by parents about the reprecussions that come with social media.
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| Posted 3/5/14 9:02 AM |
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LittleBlueBug
Happy Mommy
Member since 9/06 4074 total posts
Name:
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Posted by busymomonli
Posted by stinger
Here's the problem with this: people don't talk on the phone anymore! Adults and kids! Kids text each other if they have a question about hw. Email is even old fashioned now! I had a mom that I never spoke with and don't know what she looks like text me to invite DD to her DDs party.
So although I agree with you and am old fashioned as well it's not today's reality. If we tell our kids in middle school that they MUST call their friend they will feel like a freak and I don't want to do that to my children either.
I agree with this. Many of the people who are quoting high ages are the ones with small children now. I said I wouldn't do it, and here I am. My daughter has an Iphone. The fact is, kids who don't have social media and phones are ousted by the other kids and made fun of. Fortunately, my daughter realizes that what she does on social media is forever. It won't go away. So she is responsible. To me, thats whats lacking, education by parents about the reprecussions that come with social media.
I plan on having the discussion with my children about social media. I know it's a reality. There are kids who have social media who get made fun of too...24 hours a day...on social media. Look, that is also up to the parents to educate that no everyone will be allowed to have it because its a responsibility and not all 14 year olds are responsible. I am not letting a bunch of 14 year olds make parenting choices for me either. Why not just also educate your kids, while you are educating them how to use it, that not everyone has it and people should not be judged because of what people do and do not have.
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| Posted 3/5/14 9:13 AM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: In your opinion, what is an acceptable age for
Posted by LittleBlueBug
Posted by stinger
Posted by LittleBlueBug
When they are old enough to afford their own computer...and internet connection...and own home...lol
Honestly, I do not see any point in having a child...who sees their friends 5 days per week minimum for a full day...have social media. It's used, abused, and it's a distraction. Seriously, when do kids even have time for this stuff? From what I have seen of common core, aren't they too busy trying to figure out 6,000 ways to add 8+3?
ETA: as far as a phone, we will likely get a land line by the time DS is of age to really talk to friends on the phone. I don't look at mindlessly staring at a phone or computer as "socializing" at all. Half of the population would walk right off of a cliff without even knowing what happened because they are too pre-occupied with their "smart" phone. Over the weekend our family was at smithhaven mall. I didn't know walking could be such a hazard! I had to pull DS out of the way a bunch of times because adults were walking distracted by the glowing hypnosis of whatever text or facebook/tritter notification they have. DS will have a pre-paid cell phone with a few minutes for safety only. I'm not paying for a kid to have a fancier cell phone than I have. Half these kids don't even know how to have a conversation anymore. It's pathetic really.
I know I'm old fashioned. Oh well. When he gets a job and moves out he can do what he wants. Until then he lives by my rules. He does not need to text. He does not need to have a facebook or twitter.
Here's the problem with this: people don't talk on the phone anymore! Adults and kids! Kids text each other if they have a question about hw. Email is even old fashioned now! I had a mom that I never spoke with and don't know what she looks like text me to invite DD to her DDs party.
So although I agree with you and am old fashioned as well it's not today's reality. If we tell our kids in middle school that they MUST call their friend they will feel like a freak and I don't want to do that to my children either.
Please dont take this the wrong way, but I think the reason it is that way is because it's allowed to be that way. If people wouldn't give their kids Iphones, would they still be texting everything vs talking to someone? Based on what kids do these days with social media and how bullying has changed, I would rather him be a freak during school hours than be bombarded with God knows what in school, after school, etc.
This shouldn't be the norm. Kids are kids...not little adults. They need to stop being treated that way. Maybe my view will change later on, but I can't imagine spending the money on it. I don't even really want to spend it on myself. I don't want him having full access to the internet either.
ETA: Not for nothing, but if DS is going to be judged on what pricey high tech gadgets he has, well he's going have more issues than a phone. Those things are not a financial priority for us. Where do people get all this money to shower fancy ipads and iphones and the like? I don't even have a tablet? At all. For myself!!! Why is this even being judged as important? Why are we telling and SHOWING our kids this is important?
I'm sorry for the rant. It boggles my mind. I see people that don't have a pot to piss in with all this stuff and it drives me nuts! When do people realize they can make their own decisions and make some things a priority and others not? It is this way because people decide it should be that way.
I agree with you. I wasn't talking specifically about iphones or smartphones (although I do wonder in the next couple of years if you will be able to buy a NON smartphone with no data plan or not), just about texting in general. My 65 yo stepmother and my sisters and friends all in their 30s and 40s often prefer to text. When I was little my mom was talking on the phone ALL the time, now, my DDs mostly see me text and not talk on the phone as much. Does it scare me that youth may have NO social skills? Sure! But adults are just as guilty these days. I agree we can change things by not allowing our kids to do it, but in reality if the majority and masses of parents aren't going to change I have to go with the flow as well.
For the record, I don't have a smartphone and neither will my DDs until they can pay for it. I will get them a cell phone when they are walking home alone or home alone (no landline here).
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| Posted 3/5/14 10:05 AM |
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