Huge number of younger kids using Facebook

Over the past couple of years social networking sites have become hugely popular amongst broadband users and now a huge number of young kids are using these sites.

Social networking sites have soared in popularity over the past couple of years with people of all ages all around the world using these sites on a daily basis. The higher take up of broadband has helped to boost the popularity of the sites, and even those with mobile broadband access are now using these sites on a regular basis through their mobile broadband and internet connections.

A recent report has shown that many of the people that are using social networking sites such as Facebook are very young, many of them being under the age of thirteen. According to figures almost fifty percent of British children that are aged between nine and twelve years are using social networking sites, even though there are age limits in place.

Facebook requires users to be at least thirteen years of age. The report over the actual age of many kids was issued by EUKidsOnline. Officials from this firm said that it could help if the rules were dropped as it would make it easier to monitor online behaviour amongst kids. However, charity Kidscape said that this would lead to increased cyber bullying.

An official from the charity said: “Without doubt, if the age limit was removed from Facebook, the effect would be an increase in the number of young people accessing the site. Automatically you’ll have a greater increase of those at risk of bullying online. Abolishing the age limit is an absolute cop out really.”

Do you think that the age should be lowered for Facebook users? Comment and let us know.

Source – BBC