Grade school children and the social media

Discussion in 'Parenting' started by Alexandoy, Nov 23, 2017.

  1. Alexandoy

    Alexandoy Well-Known Member

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    We have to accept the fact that children are into social media amid the 18-years old requirement of social media sites. There's no censors and no screening so virtually anyone can create his social media account. With that account, the user is granted access to almost anything. This is one problem of parents raised in the PTA of one grade 5 class. How can they be assured that their children are not violating any censorship like going to pornographic sites, joining adult forums, worse, checking on how to buy prohibited items like drugs. It is sad to note that there was no clear answer to this problem.
     
  2. Miches

    Miches Active Member

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    One can have a Facebook account at age 13 so that already tells you that school children can have access to social media. However, they need internet access or data on their smartphones to be able to access social media and pornographic sites so parents can exercise control in those areas. Internet is not free everywhere, after all. No one can assure parents that their children will not be going to prohibited sites. They have to be vigilant about internet usage and be watchful about their children's schedule and activities at school. You can't delegate parenting to school but I would choose a school with strict policies on students' attendance and are in regular communication with the parents.
     
  3. Jason76

    Jason76 Active Member

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    That's strange cause I never see anyone younger than 18 - having a Facebook account! Well, it could just be the parents forbid it.

    Anyway, this seems to be a tough subject - because there's simply too many perverts out there - honestly!

    Shouldn't the below 18 registration ring some kind of bell?
     
  4. Nocturnal Writer

    Nocturnal Writer Active Member

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    That's the problem which is uncontrollable. It's impossible for the socmed to determine their users or members who aren't disclosing their real age.

    Therefore the right person who has the authority over those kids is their parents. Their parents should monitor their children not only at home but to where they go and the company they join or come along.

    Untiring follow up of the parents of their kids is a must. No excuses so to speak.
     
  5. Folk Artist

    Folk Artist Active Member

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    It's kind of sad that the minimum age to open an account on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is 13 - but there is nothing stopping a 11 year old from signing up with a false birthdate, and therefore their information being shared with third party advertisers. These kids at times feel the whole world is looking at them and judging them - social media sometimes can exaggerate the worst of things, and lead to depression and severe bullying as well.
     
  6. Alexandoy

    Alexandoy Well-Known Member

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    Facebook requires 18 years old as minimum to open an account. But how could Facebook know the real age of the user? I even have a friend in Facebook who is only 2 years old (although I know the parents of that baby).
     
  7. Hova

    Hova Active Member

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    Don't parents create those accounts for their toddlers (especially celebrities)? I know couples who create accounts for their new-borns and then, get this, go back and forth on both accounts pretending it's the kids, lol. But I digress.
    I'm a witness because I have a bunch of little cousins who got on facebook (because it is pretty easy to use) like even before their ten birthdays, it's crazy.
     
  8. kaka135

    kaka135 Active Member

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    My son has a friend who is about 10 years old, created a YouTube channel. He kept asking my son to subscribe to his channel. I checked out the videos and I don't think I'll let my son watch them. It's nothing wrong, but I don't find it meaningful as well. He simply talked something "nonsense", and shot the video around his house. I think the parents were pretty fine with this, as they gave him a new mobile phone to do so. I watched another YouTube channel by another 10 year old girl, who shared how she grows plants in the garden and cooks certain food at home. I am fine with this kind of YouTube channel which are sharing what they have learned.

    Besides accessing not kids-friendly websites, some kids might encounter cyber bullies as well. Though I heard that there are parental control programs, I still think it's good to monitor when kids are using Internet, especially nowadays I see how much "adult knowledge" the grade school children in the park know. I suppose exposing to Internet too early is not so good for the kids, especially without parents' guidance.
     
  9. Hova

    Hova Active Member

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    I feel like it is only going to get worse.
     
  10. nangk08

    nangk08 Active Member

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    I am actually against kids using social media of any kind. Letting kids as young as 10 and 11 or 12 sign up is simply not a sign of healthy parenting. And seeing that Facebook, Instagram etc. has the policy of children being 13+ to sign up is something that is not desirable. 11 or 13 or even 14+ is really not an age where kids should be on social media, obsessed with themselves and their social image or fashion sense. They should be studying and playing outdoors. Sadly, not all parents see it that way!
     
  11. Hova

    Hova Active Member

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    Social media will ruin your kids' life and there is no doubt about. There is a lot of pretenders online, all living fake lives. What really messes kids up the fact that they think everything they see is real, making them struggle to fit in by emulating others.
     
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  12. nangk08

    nangk08 Active Member

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    That is true Hova! The virtual world is at times so confusing that even adults get duped so easily so the kids can easily get trapped into undesirable things very easily. So for their own protection, they need to be kept away from social media.
     
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