Too Young For Social Networking Sites
Are middle school kids too young to use social networking websites, like Facebook and Twitter? Yes, according to Anthony Orisini, the principal at Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Why? Because he says tweens and young teens are too immature emotionally and socially to handle the mean things kids say about each other online. In fact, Orsini told ABC News he’d like to see middle schoolers blocked from social networking sites at school and at home, especially since two 13-year-olds recently committed suicide after being teased and taunted online.
He points out that cyberbullying used to be limited to students in eighth grade or higher. Now he’s seeing kids as young as 9 years old creating Facebook pages so they can criticize a classmate, and 75% of the issues that school counselors deal with are online insults – perceived insults – or fights that got out of hand in cyberspace. Even the tiniest spat between friends – like saying, “Justin’s a brat!” - can cause half the school to weigh in with their own criticisms, leaving Justin embarrassed, devastated and depressed. Of course, it’s almost impossible to keep today’s kids off of websites like Facebook. So, what how can you protect your child?
First, keep your kid’s computer in a public area in your house, like the family room. Experts say that young kids shouldn’t have Internet access in their bedroom. Case in point: Principal Orsini says many of the meanest comments are being posted at 1 or 2 o’clock in the morning. Don’t give your kid a smart phone, because that’s where most kids are updating their Facebook pages.
Next: Check your kid’s Facebook page and cell phone text messages regularly. Parents need to be aware of what their kids are doing electronically.
If you see any inappropriate messages, block the person – and report them to the website. You might even consider calling the offending child’s parents, and persuade them to help stop the harassment.
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