From Facebook to MySpace, it seems the users are getting smaller and the problems are getting bigger. Although many social networking sites have a minimum age requirement of 13, children often disregard the age limitations altogether. Or they seek out sites that are geared more toward their demographics, but are those really any better? According to a survey conducted by Ofcom, 49 percent of children between the ages of 8 and 17 had profiles on a social networking site. {relatedarticles}The study also indicates that more than 25 percent of children between the ages of 8 and 11 who are in the Internet in the United Kingdom have a profile on a social networking site. Some experts maintain that social networking is dangerous for children - they say it compromises the future of social interaction and relationships. They also worry it can transcend into the Internet addiction from which many adults suffer. And the dangers don't stop there.
Within social networking sites, sexual predators skulk around and stalk children behind the mask of anonymity. In addition, children can also be at risk for cyberbullying by their peers. Some educators are even lobbying for parents to pull their children off of social networking sites. Although children under 13 are technically prohibited from having profiles, it is the parents' responsibility to ensure that their children are not putting themselves at risk. {relatedarticles}Since there are currently no concrete findings regarding how social networking will affect children in years to come, it's up to parents to decide what's acceptable. If you choose to allow your child on a social networking site, why not look into ones that are geared toward children such as Imbee.com, ClubPenguin.com and Poptropica.com? Let your child experiment with social networking on those sites, but keep it in moderation. The most important rule of thumb is that you're aware of what your child is doing online and you oversee the process to ensure that your son or daughter doesn't get into any trouble.