If any of you have been watching the news lately I am sure
that you have heard the rumors about Facebook allowing new users under the age
of 13 to join the site, and yes the rumors are true. Facebook has been tossing
around the idea for a few weeks now and are trying to find a “safe,
child-friendly space on the site” (The New York Times). Here are my thoughts on
this:
1.
Allowing users under 13 is a
marketers/advertisers dream! Target, target, target those kiddos and start
getting them hooked on your brand while they are young and don’t know any
better ha-ha.
2.
I personally don’t think these kids will know
how to responsibly use the site but I guess that is where parents would need to
step in and monitor the use (like they really will)
3.
Privacy risks are already a big issue and so
imagine how bad it will get when a young adult posts things online that can
come back to bite them in the butt later. They don’t understand the seriousness
of privacy concerns or even how long a photo can stay out in the cyber world
4.
As a part-time dance instructor, I allow certain
students from the dance studio to be my friend and see my status updates.
However, if the young adults that I teach tried to add me, I would have to deny
it. Sad face but in my opinion they aren’t mature enough to know me on that
level and to respect my Facebook page. What’s to keep them from posting stupid,
pointless things on my wall? They don’t need to know when I am out at happy
hour. Ha-ha.
5.
Facebook should just create a Facebook for kid’s
version that is completely separate and then transfer the profile, etc when
they hit a certain age. The end (just a thought and pretty sure that would be
complicated)
6.
Isn’t cyber bullying a huge issue right now? I don’t
think allowing young adults another site to intimidate and harass others is a
good idea.
I could literally go on and on
about this but oh well. Honestly, from the PR side, I understand the pros of
allowing under 13 users on Facebook. From my personal opinion, I don’t like the
idea. What do you think?
What ever happened to MySpace? haha. jk.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post about allowing anyone under 13 a Facebook profile. At the end of the day though, does it really matter? The line was drawn at age 13-If I remember correctly, when I was 12, there were already kids doing drugs and experimenting sexually-- Guess Facebook doesn't want them to post about it. Perhaps allowing them access would create more problems in the long run for parents who lack discipline and control of their children and might end with a visit from CPS.
One final thought- I guess FB has some morality not wanting to ruin people's lives until after the age of 13. :)