Children on Facebook

Children on Facebook
Too many children are on Facebook. Do the parents know what they are looking at? Should a child be allowed to be part of a website where so much personal information is exchanged and exposed to unlimited negative publicity? As we all know the Facebook phenomenon has spread like wildfire making it almost a necessity and its availability to everyone. Even though it may be the popular site of today, children on Facebook can fall victims to those who prey on vulnerable children on this social networking site. As a parent, I believe that children need to be more closely monitored by their parents.
I strongly believe that children on Facebook can easily be influenced and affected by what others post, whether it may be about them or someone else. “The greatest danger to teens on social media is not what they do online, but rather what others do and say about them.” (The Dangers of Facebook”, 2011). Another example that I found is something called cyber bullying. I have a co-worker who had to experience this first hand. He told me that his daughter fell victim to cyber bullying from students at school. The situation got to the point where his daughter attempted several times to cut her arm with a knife. This was brought to the attention of the parents whose kids were bullying and had no idea that their kids where posting comments about her on Facebook. “Cyber bullying is the deliberate use of Facebook, twitter, and other social networking sites to harass individuals. This repeated behavior from one group or individual to another can have devastating consequences, and, worst case scenarios, some victims will even attempt suicide.” (“Facebook Dangers for Kids”, 2013)
Understandably, parents cannot monitor a child’s every move, but can prevent a child from having limited access to Facebook if security measures are taken on your Internet usage by blocking and only allowing limited access to information. Facebook allows the freedom of information to be passed on to anyone and everyone. I do not approve that a child should be exposed many things their minds are not ready for as kids. Postings on Facebook, such as, sex, drugs, and violence is often seen and talked about frequently online. I would not like my child reading or seeing those types of material that they cannot fully comprehend. I believe in letting kids be kids before growing up too fast online and letting them enjoy the freedom we have around us such as outdoor activities, sports, and reading a book to explore and challenge their minds before exposing and allowing them on Facebook. Facebook is a social networking site and a place where many come to advertise. Children get curious and those advertisements can lead them to another website(s) that are inappropriate for young viewers. Having that accessibility is too much freedom for a child to be able to handle and manage; temptation will reel them in.
Now, with everything mentioned, I do believe that Facebook does have its good validity and I do believe that Facebook can be an essential tool for one to use for quick communication and sending messages instantly. I think when it comes to connecting with family and being able to share pictures and videos of loved ones instantly, Facebook is a great site. When it comes to children, if they must have it and most importantly if it is going to be allowed by the parents, its going to start at the home in having that honest open parent and child relationship. It’s important that parents constantly monitor their children’s account not only to check and see if they are up to no good, but also to see what they are posting. Children might feel more comfortable to express themselves online, like how they are feeling. As a parent I would want to know this information.
Overall, Facebook has impacted our lives whether in a positive or negative way, but ultimately we as parents must always be aware that it is the Internet and there are many people that are looking to prey on someone vulnerable, like children on Facebook. So as a responsible parent, you must always take control of your kid’s usage on Facebook and monitor them in case they may be harmed or causing harm to others like in the example described above. Children will be children and will need to be reminded constantly that what they say or do online can and may cause issues that can affect them or loved ones by messages they post, reply to, or information that is shared by all users online.

References
The Dangers of Facebook. (2011). Retrieved from http://eyeguardian.com/Footer/DangersOfFacebook.aspx
Facebook Danger for Kids. (2013). Retrieved from http://sociallyactive.com/facebook-dangers-for-kids-and-how-to-protect-against-them/

References: The Dangers of Facebook. (2011). Retrieved from http://eyeguardian.com/Footer/DangersOfFacebook.aspx Facebook Danger for Kids. (2013). Retrieved from http://sociallyactive.com/facebook-dangers-for-kids-and-how-to-protect-against-them/