Thread: Are social networking sites suitable for children ?

Is facebook or any social networking site suitable for children?

We all know the advice and we all know why the advice is given but I was curious to know what your professional opinions are on this matter, obviously the biggest issue is whether of not web designers should take responsibility for the protection of children and what they see on the web.

We are suppose to be the professionals and I am sure some of us have the intelligence to be able to suggest some methods that protect children when the parents are simply not aware of what happens on the web, its not our fault but if you look at it like you would a doctor, if they failed to get their message across I am sure most of us would not live as long as we do, so we do have some responsibility.

The reason I ask is not because I personally am considering letting any of my children on social networking sites but more because its 'hot topic' on the web at the moment and I was curious about opinions.

From the social websites point of view, I would say its more of a business decision to ensure the right processes, procedures and security checks & monitoring is in place to make it safe. The business should make the users aware of the potential risks for younger users.

Beyond that, it is down to the individual parents to assess the risk with using such sites and put in their own checks and monitoring (if they deem it necessary).

Having said all that,. I just signed up my kids (7 & 5) to club penguin!

the issue I see is that a 'business' does not know anything about web design ( unless its a web design company ) so they have to employ a web designer, which again, falls in place of we should take responsibility.

Obviously depends on the network. Fortunately for me this question doesn't need to be answered for a little while yet. My son is only 9 months old.

Generally speaking though I will let him join any network he wants to as long as there is adult supervision. I don't see problems with social networks. I see problems with parents who allow unsupervised use of the internet for their children who have no ideas about the potential danger of using the internet..

Even though your son is 9 months old I would still ask the question as a responsible website designer, its not about whether you have your own children but taking responsibly as the professional in your field.

most parents that allow children on unsupervised are not doing that because they dont care but because they are unaware and my personal opinion is that if you are supplying any sort of site where it has the potentual to attract children ( that includes adult sites ) then we need to take responsibility and put in place as many methods as reasonably expected or smarter methods to protect them

go to google, type in something like 'porn' and there are thousands of un-protected sites. what makes people think social networking sites are any different ?.. just because you can choose your friends it does not mean the children are protected because you never know who is sitting on the opposite end of a computer.

Regarding porn I agree. I remember when I was 12 and a friend told me I could find filth online. Obviously a curious mind went searching and it was a drawn out experience. Dial up aside, 90% was behind a pay-wall or required credit card authentication to enter. Today, with freemium porn, many sites don't even ask to confirm whether you are 18. This is very poor and I believe the UK government is looking at legislation against this.

With social networks you have the same problem as me searching out porn as a minor. How do you stop children from registering anyway? If you make it harder to register you will block out and/or annoy adults. Even if it is harder to register.. a kid can lie.

The developers responsibility - for other than adult websites - should be to make it clear whether children are welcome or not. The rest is down to educating the child and the parents on how to use the Internet.

then you would agree with America's 'coppa' agreements, but is that enough as even that can be forged and its not for the worse sites.

the issue I see is that a 'business' does not know anything about web design ( unless its a web design company ) so they have to employ a web designer, which again, falls in place of we should take responsibility.

Originally Posted by saltedm8

Which is why a business will usually employ a whole bunch of people who are responsible for user security - Risk, Networks, Infrastructure, Operations, Development, etc.

A web developer may be part of the front line for this security (development), but they are not singularly responsible. They will also, hopefully, have code reviews, testing, and ethical hacks to ensure the code is robust and secure.

most parents that allow children on unsupervised are not doing that because they dont care but because they are unaware

Originally Posted by saltedm8

Back to this point quickly.. its the parents job to be aware and protect their children from any dangers that present themselves. Internet security and safe browsing has been around for as long as I can remember. Even my dad understands it and his technical computing skill extends just beyond turning the computer on.

The fact is that as children grow up they will want to take part in sports, events, the latest fad etc. As a responsible parent you need to look at these as they crop up and assess what risk or danger they present to your child. Failing to recognize the dangers of social networking when there is an abundance of information available, bi-monthly news stories on the topic and semi-frequent stories of children who meet with a stranger and disappear.. honestly... It makes you an idiot.

Parenting is a learning experience, the child will get hurt and will learn their own lessons but every parent knows its their responsibility to keep their child out of the worst of it.

The web isn't the only danger to children. Based on the logic that web designers must do more, perhaps swings and roundabouts in the play ground should be taped off with warning signs and instructions manuals because if they are misused they can hurt a child.

Its all down the parent... it usually always is.

Its not about children being hurt, name calling on the internet will never be an issue that puts children in danger, but what we expose to those children is

believe me when I say there are many people out there that have zero common sense, my ex is one of them and I am not just saying that to be insulting, there are many areas on the web that can be protected more and its up to us as the professionals to find those solutions, I am not saying we are responsible for every child that is abducted but we the only ones with enough knowledge and aptitude to be able to do something about it.

The only example I can give is Jamie Oliver and his healthy eating campaigns, if you saw some of the things children were eating before his involvement and the things parents believed before they were made aware of what it was they are eating some might consider them thick, but Jamie Oliver still advised and found ways so that improved the situation as he is a professional chef

in the same light I believe it is up to us all as professional web designers to actively promote good surfing practices for children as parents really can be that dumb, it takes no minimum amount of intelligence to make a child which is why so many children are at risk.