Do you remember when Facebook was the exclusive domain of
college students? I do. Campus was a buzz when my little Liberal Arts
University went on the Facebook
grid. I friended my classmates, a girl
from the cafeteria, and all of the old high school acquaintances that I had
previously had no intention of keeping up with.
It was like a whole world opened up to me – a world of pokes, friends,
and groups. We were all so naive back
then – posting photos willy nilly, making up hobbies to sound more interesting
than we were.…I also have a vague recollection of posting what classes I was
taking, but that could be all in my head.
We had no idea what was coming…
Don’t get me wrong…Its not that I don’t love my mother being
able to comment on my photos or constantly being asked if I want to like Coca
Cola. I get it. Things evolve and I’m all for that evolution,
but recently it seems like Facebook is dipping its toes into some especially murky
water.
The news is that Facebook is mulling the notion of allowing
individuals under 13 to sign up as users.
Facebook came under scrutiny this week when lawmakers, the media, and
concerned parents everywhere found out that the company had been toying with
this idea. The social media giant has
indicated that it will tread carefully by requiring minor accounts be tied to a
parent’s account. This has already attracted
regulatory attention from lawmakers who are not pleased with the move.
I’ve been reading both sides of this argument and both have
valid points. Those who are for it argue
that Facebook is already being used by 7.5 million kids under 13. They also say the site could be used to work
on homework and for extracurriculars. Those
who are against it worry about cyberbullying, sexual predators, etc. These are all valid concerns and need to be
treated with respect. My primary concern is a little different though. When you
put something on Facebook, you are making a statement about who you are. How many stories have we heard about people
who didn’t get a job because of a wacky internet photo?
When you are 13 you get
to make some mistakes, go through some phases, get way into a boy band…It happens.
When you put something on the internet, its forever and I don’t think
someone at 13 can really grasp the weight of that (I know a lot of twenty
somethings who can’t). Maybe I’m
belaboring the point, but if I didn’t get a job because 13-year-old-me posted
all about Buffy the Vampire Slayer and once climbed on top of the wienermobile, I would be pretty upset…Kids have to grow
up pretty quickly these days and I don’t think I feel like this will only
accelerate that.
I haven’t made up my mind about whether or not kids 13 and
under should be allowed on Facebook, but the above does keep sticking with
me. We are held responsible for what’s
on our page...even years later. Is that
a burden we want to place on young people?
Please share your thoughts on the issue.
-Nicole P
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