Why you should say yes to Facebook

By Nicola Freeman

It seems like only yesterday that most parents regarded Facebook with a mix of bewilderment and dread: bewilderment because online social networking was a complete mystery, and dread because they thought Facebook was populated with predators and perverts!

Now, with over 100 million users in the U.S. alone, it's quite likely that parents are Facebook members themselves and know just as much about status updates and tagging as their tech-savvy kids!

Despite Facebook's increased appeal among adults, there are few signs that the site's popularity is diminishing with the younger crowd. Parents are still being asked "When can I join?" by teens and tweens eager to move up from the sanitized worlds of Club Penguin and New Moon Girls.

Although Facebook itself clearly states that the site is not for children under the age of 13, evidence suggests that many kids lie about their age and open Facebook accounts at age 12 or even younger.

Now, I am not condoning falsifying your child's age, but maybe there is a case to be made for accommodating your young teen or tween's request with some kind of supervised joint effort. The reason? Working with a young child on a Facebook account can provide what educators like to call a perfect "teachable moment": an opportunity to impart knowledge and important guidance in an atmosphere in which your child is very eager to learn.

Think about it. Would you rather have your child open a Facebook account without your knowledge and spend the first couple of years of their social networking lives stumbling across mean-spirited gossip and inappropriate photos; or would you rather teach them what's acceptable online behavior and what should be avoided at all costs!

If you open a Facebook account together, you can help them set up their profile, choose an appropriate photo, and make sure their privacy settings are properly in place. You can review their updates, see their friends' posts and let them know if you see something inappropriate.  

Plus, parents of younger children have a one-time opportunity to "friend" their child on Facebook; an opportunity that's unlikely to be there if you wait until they reach 8th grade.  Even if you fade into the background as your child gets older (and avoid commenting on everything you see!), you will still be able to watch over your child's Internet development, as well as keep an eye on who they are hanging out with!

So next time your child asks you if they can have a Facebook account, think twice before you say "No". It could be the start of a beautiful online friendship!