Social Networking For Six-Year-Olds

By drodriguez Nov 03, 2009

With the list of popular social networking sites expanding every day it is no wonder people of all ages are being drawn to them. For parents, this may mean making a decision of when to let their children join in and create their very own account. The top sites like MySpace and Facebook set their age restriction at 13, but they have no real way of verifying a person's age.

A recent article from CNN reports that 38 percent of respondents in a study between the ages of 12 and 14 said they have an online profile on a social networking site. Parents often worry their young children could be subjected to viewing inappropriate photographs, comments, or worst of all coming in contact with an online predator.

A professor of psychology from California State University, Kaveri Subrahmanyam, is not too worried about placing age limitations on these websites. She says, "For the most part, although there's so much press about all the bad things they're doing, much of what they're doing is stuff they would be doing anyway."

There are sites, unlike MySpace and Facebook, that cater specifically to young children and place limitations on what the children can do while online. On one site, loosely based onFacebook, called KidSwirl there are children as young as 5 that have active accounts. Both Webkinz and Whyville are also social networking sites for kids that feature a more supervised level of networking like KidSwirl. Toby Clark, creator of KidSwirl, points out that kids spend an average of 5 minutes signed on to his site compared to the 20 minute average FaceBook receives. Some parents view these sites as a way to get their kids ready for the more adult versions of these sites.

What do you think of allowing young children to take part in social networking sites?

Do you think joining a site specifically targeted to young kids is a good way to prepare them for more adult sites in the future?

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Comments

by Tania24 | El Paso, TX

Nov 12, 2009

i too believe that any children under the age of of 14 or even 15 need to be on any social networking place if they want to socialize then have the friends come over to the house go out to the mall or the park besides at this age how much socializing can they do.

by Whitestar | Bloomfield Hills, MI

Nov 11, 2009

I don't believe children should be on the internet, period. It's a world that connects to people and sites these children know nothing about. Too many predators.

by gramma | portsmouth, VA

Nov 11, 2009

social networking at 6 years old is DANGEROUS!. There is no way I would allow it. What happened to kids running and playing and coming in with the streetlights. The child needs more constructive interest computer time and use at that age should be monitored at all times. That child needs to be shown the games file on the computer and utilize that.

by TreasureCoupons | Groton, CT

Nov 10, 2009

I do not think a 6 year old needs a social networking site! They need to go outside and ride a bike, or play tag or something...kids spend too much time in the house now as it is...I was always outside as a kid.

by dancingcoco | tooele, UT

Nov 10, 2009

I do not think it is ok for any child under the age of 14 to have a networking site. They are to young and to vunerable to online preditors. I think parents should always be checking to see what their children are doing online. Why not send them out to play with their friends instead.

by mybunnyslipperz | Shenandoah, PA

Nov 09, 2009

What is the world coming to? There is no reason why a child that young should need to sit in front of a computer to "hang out" with their friends. They need to be out in the yard playing, using their imaginations and developing real life interaction skills! It worries me to think about what will become of these children in 20 years from now if they're allowed to forgo real life to sit in front of a computer screen to socialize. It just isn't healthy. It's bad enough that adults do it - but for goodness sakes - let the kids be kids!

by kelly123 | PEARISBURG, VA

Nov 08, 2009

I think it is so upsetting to think about my young children joining one of these sites. I have been to these networks and am a member of a few and also know how dangerous they can be if your not careful.

by loveCabo09 | Johnsburg, IL

Nov 07, 2009

Absolutely not! I am also a firm believer that children should be outside playing, not sitting idle in front of a computer screen. I agree that there is way too much pressure on young kids to grow up too quickly and not enough emphasis on being a kid. Then we wonder why our kids are over weight!

by Beatrice | Hayden, ID

Nov 07, 2009

please fix to say should NOT be on Facebook

by Beatrice | Hayden, ID

Nov 07, 2009

Children six and under should definitely be on Facebook. Though its secure one does not how it can be invaded and the information used could be a detrement to the child/

by Lusadi | Wasilla, AK

Nov 06, 2009

There is absolutely no reason why any child under high school age (and I'm iffy on high school students) needs access to the internet. Children and teenagers alike do not have sufficiently developed social boundaries to allow them to interact with people over the internet.

by loli1707 | BONITA, CA

Nov 06, 2009

No way ! They need to go outside & play !

by smilin_sara | Vicksburg, MI

Nov 06, 2009

I don't think that a 5 or 6 year old need to even be on the computer. They need to be outside getting all of the fresh air and exercise that they can get. When I was 6, I didn't even know what a computer was, now a days, 6 year olds know more about them then a lot of adults do. It is sad....parents need to be outside with their children, not letting them sit in front of a computer screen.

by marylynnf | Three Rivers, MI

Nov 05, 2009

Just what kids need more reason to sit, type and get no exercise. What are people thinking. Social site - hooey - these kids don't learn social skills being on a computer they need to be involved in activities with other children in person not behind a computer screen.

by adragail | quinlan, TX

Nov 05, 2009

I do not think that Children need a social networking site, such as Kidswirl, but I am not opposed to my kids being on Webkinz. They have an allotted time that they are allowed on the computer. The computer is in the family room and is always monitored. They have their own logins which allow them only on specific kid friendly sites. This is part of a kid being a kid. They are learning computer skills and having fun!