Zuckerberg: Kids under 13 should be using Facebook

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said that kids under 13 years of age should be able to use the social networking service.

As things stand, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (1998) determines that children under the age of 13 should not be able to use such services for their own protection. Zuckerberg disagrees with the law and has said he would be willing to fight it.

"That will be a fight we take on at some point," he said. "My philosophy is that for education you need to start at a really, really young age. Because of the legal restrictions we haven't even begun this learning process. If they're lifted then we'd start to learn what works."

Speaking at a summit on innovation in California schools, Zuckerberg said finding ways to improve education was one of his passions.

While critics have concerns about children's privacy and cyberbullying as they upload content to sites like Facebook, it is becoming increasingly apparent that implementing effective age restriction mechanisms on websites is not easy.

Consumer Reports estimated that 7.5 million kids under the age of 13 are regularly using Facebook.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 24 May 2011 20:32

ROMaster2

While I think they shouldn't use Facebook, I don't think there should be laws and regulations forbidding them from making their own account. The parents need to be parents and know what their children are doing and not cry to the government to do their job for them.

24.5.2011 20:45 #1

Hyasuma

What the hell can you learn from Facebook? besides bunch of games and wall posts? I do agree kids need to start at a early age for their education, but FACEBOOK? Is not like they having a teaching program in facebook. Besides, if the kids wants to have their own facebook, is not that hard for them to have one.

24.5.2011 21:47 #2

toked

You need to remember that Mark Zuckerberg does not care about the children as he is one himself, one that wants money the way a kid wants candy. He's trying his hand at being a politician here: he's using "education" as the titular excuse to invade your privacy even more. His assertion doesn't even make sense(what could you learn on facebook?), as is usually the case when people are lying.

24.5.2011 22:02 #3

Ryoohki

My nephew has been on facebook since he was 10 or 11. He's 14 now. Big deal. There isn't anything educational about facebook. Its one more way to waste your time when you should be outside instead of plastered in front of your computer playing farmville.

24.5.2011 22:38 #4

KillerBug

While I can't think of much that is actually educational about facebook, I see no reason why kids shouldn't be able to use it honestly. I would rather the kids could tell the truth...that way, if some 40-something guy keeps making friends with 8 year old kids, you know they are either a school teacher, a priest, or a child molester...or some combination of the three...if a kid lies about their age, they will just say they are 18, and then it is very hard to implement such a program.

http://killerbug666.wordpress.com/

25.5.2011 01:43 #5

Vato

This Zuckerberg hasn't even got kids of his own and he is going around telling people what kids should and shouldn't do LOL. When ever I see this guy on TV or the internet news, he looks like a kid in a man's body. I think he's brain is just being run by money thoughts and not really what's best for the kids. He should just shut up and stick to what he is good at.

25.5.2011 02:05 #6

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