Mediaboss Marketing

Thirteen. Thats how old kids are supposed to be when they officially allowed on Facebook. But most parents know its really just a number that doesnt mean anything.

Younger tweens are clamouring to get on the social networking site because their friends and everyone else, including parents already are. And many parents are caving in to the kids demands, even helping them fudge their ages on the site so they can use it.

I think on Facebook my son is nine months younger than me, says Charlie Charalambous, a training specialist who lives in Stouffville. I used his birthday and my year, I think. In terms of the age thing, most parents dont really think about it. A bunch of his friends were already on there, which made him want it, and really, it is how kids communicate now. Well, that and texting.

Charalambous son, Niko, recently turned 13, but has been on Facebook since he was 11. Charalambous is pretty tech savvy, and that has rubbed off on his son. So, for Christmas two years ago, he bought Niko a laptop and, as part of the gift, set up a Facebook account with friends and family, so once Niko got on the site, a community would be awaiting him.

Charalambous says it was also a way to let Niko know he would have access to the account and would be monitoring exactly what he was doing on there.

In June, The Wall Street Journal reported that Facebook is thinking of creating a tool to allow parents and younger children to get online together, perhaps with a co-account. Until something official comes along, most parents are finding their own ways to meet their kids desire to connect online with the need to keep them safe.

Sidney Eve Matrix, a media professor at Queens University who has done work on cyber bullying, says a formal option from Facebook would be good, but cautions parents to remember the companys motivation.

If it enables parents to better monitor (kids), that would probably be great, but Facebooks agenda is not really about fostering community spirit, its advertising. I guess Im a bit concerned about offering brands such easy pickings to that younger target market.

Matrix advises parents to keep the lines of communication open throughout the process of introducing kids to social media.

Thats what Charalambous and his wife did.

Read the original post:
What parents need to know about keeping their tweens safe on social networking sites