Image via Wikipedia
I’m one of those mean parents that haven’t let my children start up Facebook accounts while they are “under-age”.
I know a lot of children under 13 have their own Facebook accounts. Every parent has to make up their own mind about where their ethics sit in regard to situations like this. My opinion is that if I want my child to show integrity in the bigger things, it’s important to demonstrate that in the smaller things.
You can argue that it doesn’t really matter (and maybe it really doesn’t) but technically you have to break the T&C in order to set up an account for a child under 13. You actually have to lie about their birthdate.
Anyway, I’m not trying to condemn anybody who makes a different decision in their parenting to me. I’m simply trying to explain the “why” of my own decision making process. It’s not been an easy decision to maintain with so many of Lleyton’s peers having had accounts of years now.
Well, last week Lleyton turned 13 (yep, I’m now a parent of a teenager!!!!) so last night we set him up his own facebook account.
I have to admit that I still did so with some trepidation.
Simply because I’ve seen the way some kids treat each other on Facebook.
It’s not always a nice environment to be involved in.
Plus we have kids here who have gotten in trouble with the law over things that have been posted on Facebook.
It’s yet another minefield for our children to navigate as they navigate through adolescence.
Now, call me neurotic if you will, but I decided it might be a good idea to be as up front with Lleyton as possible when it comes to his Facebook account. So, we came up with this Facebook Agreement which we asked him to sign as a condition of allowing him to have his own Facebook account:
FACEBOOK AGREEMENT
I understand that I am allowed to have a facebook account under the following conditions:
1. I will not friend anybody not already known to me.
2. I will not friend anybody more than 2 year levels above or below me without checking with mum & dad first.
3. I understand that facebook is a public forum and will not share any personal details or say anything I wouldn’t be willing to say to a persons face.
4. I will not post anything on my wall or anyone else’s that might be seen as cyberbullying. This includes saying anything negative or put-down about other people who may or may not be on facebook.
5. I will not share photographs containing other people without their permission.
6. If I see anything that looks like cyberbullying or makes me uncomfortable, I will show mum or dad as soon as possible.
7. I understand that mum will keep my facebook password and will access my facebook page from time to time to keep an eye on things. I will not change my password without letting mum know. I understand that this is not to invade my privacy but to help keep me safe as facebook can make me vulnerable to cyberbullying and/or stalking.
8. I understand that having a facebook account does not give me the right to use the internet whenever I like and will only do so with permission.
9. I understand that having a facebook account is a privilege and if I fail to keep to these guidelines or access my facebook account during school hours (which is contrary to school policy) my account will be cancelled.
It may well be overkill but I want to do my best to prevent any issues rather than have to try and deal with the aftermath.
What are your thoughts? Do your kids use Facebook? Have you had any problems? Any advice for a “first time facebook mum”?
I
