Is Allowing Kids on Facebook the Next Step for the Social Network?
When Facebook launched, way back in 2004, it was available only to students with a Harvard University Email address. By 2006, the social networking site had been expanded to include anyone with a valid Email address, provided they were over the age of 18. Eventually, the user cut-off age was lowered to 13 and with over 900 million active accounts, it seemed like virtually everyone had an account on Facebook. Some wondered how the company could continue to dominate the online world. Facebook’s solution is to venture into the final digital frontier – allowing children onto the site.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the social networking giant is quietly testing programs that would allow children to safely maneuver the site. Of course, there are currently children under the age of 13 on Facebook, just not legally. This is an enormous market currently out of Facebook’s reach, and the website is determined to change that. Reportedly Facebook is working on a system that would allow pre-teens to take advantage of the site, while protecting their safety.
Facebook’s plan would involve linking children’s profiles with their parent’s accounts, theoretically allowing parents to keep an eye on their child’s online activity. There is even talk of a system that would let parents decide who their children could and could not be friends with.
Not everyone is sure that making Facebook an all-ages party is a good idea. Cyberbullying, stalking, and child pornography are already serious problems, even with the current age restrictions. Facebook users aren’t entirely sold on the idea of preteens swarming the Timelines, even with supposed parent supervision.
But the bottom line is, preteens are already on Facebook, and in ever-increasing numbers. In a study by Consumer Reports in 2011, it was determined that approximately 20 million minors use Facebook regularly. Of that number, 7.5 million are under the age of 13, and over 5 million are under the age of 10.
And it’s impossible to ignore the fact that new users will increase revenue for Facebook. The company began trading public stocks just a few weeks ago, and so far hasn’t been a resounding success. Many worry that the company will be unable to consistently increase its revenue with so many people already signed up. Allowing children onto their network, and thereby drastically increasing the size of their audience, would only help Facebook’s profit margin.
Facebook has refused to officially confirm any of these rumors, but did emphasize their concern over children's online safety.
“Many recent reports have highlighted just how difficult it is to enforce age restrictions on the internet,” said a Facebook spokesman, “especially when parents want their children to access online content and services. We are in continuous dialogue with stakeholders, regulators and other policymakers about how best to help parents keep their kids safe in an evolving online environment."
At this point, it seems almost inevitable that Facebook will one day allow children on the site, albeit with extensive safety measures in place. Gone are the early days, when Facebook was the exclusive domain of college students. Parents and grandparents have already joined the Facebook family, whether we like it or not. It’s only a matter of time before kids are penning status updates of their own.
[Pic via Flickr - fabrice caduc]
