I probably should just keep quiet and let things be. There’s still so much more to be said on the subject.
Middlepath: The same is with everything in life. It is the duty of the parent to keep open communication an conversation running throughout their childrens’ lives. This helps them gauge the maturity level and emotional support the child might have/need. I just don’t think its so necessary to be on the lookout to be ready to jump the second the kid might have enough maturity to handle the internet/facebook.
In the age where government or liberal minded people have taken control over our rights as parents to decide on the best method of raising children, is it too complex of an idea to want to create an environment where facebook is not encouraged to protect our children from the inherent dangers of the internet?
They tell us to put our babies on their backs to sleep to prevent sids.
Our kids must wear helmets when they ride their bikes even in their own backyard…
We should dare to even dream of hitting our children for fear of being charged with child abuse.
Never talk negatively to a kid – you might hurt their self esteem…
(I know I’ll get smashed for the above.)
But they would never discourage internet/facebook use for fear of going against their “progressive” ideas. How many terrible things have happened through neglectful use of these tools. How many suicides, homocides, assaults, bullying, stalking… you name it… are reported on a daily basis. (forget about the ones never reported.)
You ready to put that whole responsibility on the shoulders of a young kid – or even a teenager? Even with proper training and knowledge,kids fall into all kinds of traps. So do adults by the way (ex: identity theft).
Adults need tools to advance in life and they need to have access to the world beyond their home. I think its time to send our kids back to the ball field.