My 7yo can find his way around the computer pretty well.
DS1 (nearly 12) has asked for a Facebook account & I have told him no. I understand that he just wants to play the games on it, but there is a lot of rubbish on there I don't think he needs to be exposed to just yet. Maybe next year... I'll decide then
DD1 got MySpace at 13.
I actively discouraged my 7 year old DD from using the computer when she was little but children seem to be "drawn" to them. Computers are a natural part of their world like books were when we were grwowing up. Our school now has 'interactive whiteboards" in every classroom so even at school everything is electronic. And my DD would rather be on the "Club Penguin" site than watch TV these days.
So I can sort of see that Facebook is the next step but I agree it is far too young. Too much content that is too old for them. But having said that I think Emmy83 is using it in a great way.
My kindergarten class all use the computer at school, they are quite proficient at the internet as we teach them in computers.
I won't let my 9 yr old have a fb page despite her begging. Her older sister has one and its a worry at times LOL.
I find my almost 15year old sisters fb a bit troubling at times. I dont think its something for young kids but thats me. If properly monitored it could be (for game content and networking with family and friends) but Im not prepared to take that risk (not that I have this issue yet with 16month old DS lol)
Yeah, both my girls use the computer. Both play onine kids games. Nick Jr is great for DD2, DD1 is more paper doll dress up things
I let them chat to my sister & SIL on my MSN, but I'm not even sure I'd let them on fb etc at 13... I really don't know. Its a long way away, but I do feel that 13 is too young. (Depending on the child I guess)
My SIL has bebo & loves it. Its more for the younger ones that I can see. Say 13 up. I'd allow it at maybe 15? I have it, but don't use it coz I think it is too young. There isn't the same crap thrown around that there is on FB, but then you get PM's offering you porn site things.
I'm not keen on any of it, but I know my 7 year old won't be getting her own FB for a loooong time yet!
DS has a facebook page, has had for about two years. I lied about his age.
It's so I can share photos easily with family on the other side of the country and he's also friends with some of my friends who live a distance away and one of his old Nursery Carers who now works in the other building so doesn't get to see DS, whom she loves. And his Godmother too.
BUT having said that, DS doesn't actually go on FB. Just me logging on as him. I wouldn't let DS near it!
My four eldest all have a FB profile. They love the games and frankly, FB privacy and security settings are better than Bebo and Myspace - the other two places they could play those games. You can't even find my two youngest by searching for them and their names are linkless black text on mine and my families profiles. The youngest two barely know how to navigate FB and ask me to bring up the game they want anyway.
When it comes to what they are doing online and keeping them out of trouble, I use keeping the computer in a 'communal' room and Live Family Safety.
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