Facebook

Most adults will admit that Facebook is a great way to keep in touch with the lives of friends and relatives. Some in my generation think it's downright amazing! But as adults, we understand well the permanence of placing pictures, words, even private thoughts on Facebook. We know that we need to word our status updates and comments carefully since the message will not have the support of vocal inflections, facial expressions, and body language. We understand privacy issues and the likelihood that we may be targeted by ads or have our information searched out or shared by others. We are aware of what we can and can't, what we should and shouldn't, post online.

Facebook's Terms of Service, aka Statement of Rights & Responsibilities state that "You will not use Facebook if you are under 13." Did the folks at Facebook arbitrarily choose this number? Or did they know something about preteens? Although children this age are fearlessly able and adept to make almost any technology work, they do not always know or understand the subtle details and ramifications of what they've done.

As an ICT Specialist, I would like to be able to use authentic tools like Facebook to teach children about the ethical and moral aspects of social networking. Unfortunately, due to school policies (and the above mentioned age restriction, of course), that's not possible. If your son or daughter has a Facebook page, I trust you as parents are instilling that important piece of online responsibility.

If you're not sure if your child has a Facebook page, just ask. If s/he does, ask to see it. From time to time, do a Google search with the term Facebook and your child's name to find out what's publicly available about your child online. Monitor your child's computer use and have family guidelines related to technology. And above all, always know what all your children are doing online.