Underage kids eager to join FB

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Even though Facebook bans children under 13, thousands already have profiles on the site by lying about their age.

Resultantly, Facebook is testing out ways to allow younger kids on its site without needing to lie. Of course, it would be under parental supervision — by connecting children’s accounts to their parents’ accounts. That would allow Facebook to comply with federal regulations regarding children under 13 online. While some parents feel that if something is legalised kids who do this for a thrill will stop, and others believe that it makes sense as they will be in the know of what their kids are upto.
Any kid can get access by lying about his age and join FB. It’s up to the parents to find out and supervise. Author Manisha Lakhe says, “My 14-year-old has been on Facebook for the past many years. He put his birth year as 1972. I didn’t stop him because everybody in his class was on Facebook. Initially, I was uncomfortable, but now I know that you just put good values in your kids and cross your fingers. My son has always been a geek. He told me how to install a nanny chip and how to override it. Now how can I tell him anything? So you have to trust your kids.”
Many parents still don’t understand why anyone that young needs Facebook, and rue that people have forgotten how to have a face-to-face conversation.
“I believe having a Facebook account should be based on the child’s maturity level, which should be determined by a parent or guardian. The rules of FB should be followed and one needs to tell one’s child that lying to get an account is an issue that you as a parent will have to weigh. If anything, the age limit should be increased to at least 16,” says Manish Tiwari, parent of a 15-year-old.
However, Dr Ranjani Iyer Arumugam feels if used under supervision, it is harmless, but unsupervised can be dangerous, addictive and can be misused. She says, “The feature should come with parental control. If parents can control who the child’s friends are, I don’t see any harm. Parents this way can be careful if the child befriends some stranger who can manipulate his mind.”