My husband expressed some concern to me about my young niece's facebook account. First of all, she fudged her age by about five years to open an account. My husband noticed that her page was filled with announcements that "so-n-so" has answered some questions about "C." Then it presents one question and the yes or no answer. Below that answered question are several other questions that supposedly this person has answered about "C." You have to sign up for the application in order to see all the questions and answers. My husbands concern is that many of the unanswered questions are very inappropriate for anyone but especially so for a child her age. There are questions like "Do you think C. is a virgin?" Or "Is C.'s mother a _____?" The blank is filled in with an anacronym that is so crude I can't even bring myself to describe it. (My husband had to explain it to me; Come to think of it, I'm going to have to question him as to how he knows all this stuff!) Anyway, you get the idea. So, how do these "questions" work? Is this something I should bring to my brother's attention? If someone were actually answering questions like that about my young daughter, I'd be outraged.
To be blunt, anyone that has to lie about their age is too young for face book. Yes the questions are crude, but so are the advertisements, and alot of the like, dislike things.
I agree that she shouldn't be on FB, but that's her parents call. I guess I was wondering if she had to do anything to be targeted by these crude questions. I don't get them on my page. Is that because I didn't accept the application or because my friends don't bother with such silly stuff.
they question are all over facebook anyone who has account gets them, if anyone answers them its up to there friend list.
It a specific application you "subscribe" to. She would have had to add the application in order to do it. So, chances are she's answering questions like these about others. The application is called "21 Questions" (or their may be other like it but this is the one I have). Some questions I have been asked are, "Do you think X's Profile picture is ugly?" "Do you think X needs a stylist?" Do you think X would ever cheat on a paper test?" And of course the personal questions: "Do you think X 'plays with themselves'?" "Do you think X has showered today?" "Do you think X would look good in a Mini-skirt?" And so on. The people who answer the questions remain anonymous until you earn enough "coins" to find out who answered what questions. You earn coins by either buying them, or answering the same questions about others. IMO, if you need to add onto your age in order to be on Facebook then you probably shouldn't be there. They have an age limit for a reason. It's truely her parent's call, but I wouldn't let any of my kids get on Facebook for any reason. The only reason I am on it is because it's a great way to keep up with other homeschoolers and my extended family that lives out of driving distance, and high school friends as well.
While it is her parent's prerogative to allow her on facebook, it doesn't seem out of line to suggest they monitor her use more closely. As Meg describes above, it is an application that you choose to access and obviously certain applications are not appropriate for young children. I believe there are plenty of games and whatnot on facebook that are fine for kids, but like anything else - parental awareness is key.
I'm forever getting notices that my "friend" has answered questions about me, but I NEVER click on to see; I always hit "IGNORE". Everytime you click on something like that, or a game or whatever, you give them more access to your account, which I don't want. I agree that she has no business being on if she has to lie about her age. But, as others have said, that's the parents' responsibility. Are the parents aware that she lied? How old is she, anyway?
I would mention it to the parents in case they do not know exactly what she is doing. If they do know, that is a shame but their business.
I'm like Jackie. I get them on my page but I ignore them. This is HUGE with my daughter and her friends. They are always answering questions about each other. So far I have not seen anything vulgar on her page and I check it everyday and have her password.
I told Rachael she's not permitted to do ANY of that stuff, because I don't want her security compromised by them.
Thank you. I was wondering what the age limit was. She is not 13. I will talk to her parents. They have a lot going on. Her mother is too ill to monitor her computer time, and her father is too consume with caring for her mother to think about it. Also, he is kind of naive when it comes to modern culture; I think he thinks life for a kids is the same as it was in the 60's and 70's. His radar is looking for the threats of that time -- not the subtle but more invasive threats that get to our kids through the internet. I really doubt they'll pull her off now. At least, I was hoping to offer him some suggestions about how to insulate her from some of the garbage that is on there. He lives too far away for me to give him the help he really needs.:cry:
I do know a person who is 10 and on facebook. He is my "friend" on their because he is my cousins son. I didn't even think of the age thing! His mother knows and monitors his page but I can't believe I never thought of the age thing before!
