Top Facebook executives claim that their website is ‘very safe’ for young users despite the complaints by the parents and other caregivers.
Social networking platforms have always been in hot water for being non-appropriate for young kids due to cyberbullying scandals and self-esteem issues. However, the company claims its platform is safe since they don’t allow under 13 users.
However, a lot of under 13 users regularly log on to these sites, regardless of the barriers set by the social giant company.
Monika Bickert, Facebook’s head of global policy management argued that the company has strict enforcement in place that does not allow ‘under-age’ users. She also insisted that there is no magical tool available that will ensure the over 13s to stay safe.
She also gave an example of her family life and claimed that parents also have a role to play. She said that with her young teenage daughters, she had numerous conversations regarding the experiences they would have during their online time and how they can take advantage of the privacy settings and tools. The company is also enforcing parental support groups that will help the elders ensure their children’s safety on Facebook as well as the entire World Wide Web.
But at the last night’s charity event, the NSPCC found Mrs. Bickert’s comments to be a wary reflection of the company’s acknowledgment of the hidden dangers. A representative at the event said that the social networks are not safe for the children and it is essential that companies like Facebook introduce regulatory methods for their safeguard.
In fact, several campaigners warned that many children are using Facebook and Instagram while some parents don’t even know of the age restrictions set by these sites.
Last year, the research group eMarketer estimated that around 600,000 youngsters under the age of 12 log on to Facebook at least once a month while Ofcom also said that the majority of under 12-year olds have their own social media profile.
Just this year, Instagram made headlines when 14-year old Molly Russel took her own life after seeing self-harm images on the platform. Her father also claimed that the app was somewhat responsible for his daughter’s suicide.
Nevertheless, Facebook is making amendments, and trying to make their platform more transparent, especially when it comes to spam/fake accounts and child abusing photography. The platform is also developing tools that will enhance the protection of users from cyberbullying, porn, and other illicit content.
Photo: Chesnot via Getty Images
Read next: Facebook creating disease prevention maps with the help of its user's data
Social networking platforms have always been in hot water for being non-appropriate for young kids due to cyberbullying scandals and self-esteem issues. However, the company claims its platform is safe since they don’t allow under 13 users.
However, a lot of under 13 users regularly log on to these sites, regardless of the barriers set by the social giant company.
Monika Bickert, Facebook’s head of global policy management argued that the company has strict enforcement in place that does not allow ‘under-age’ users. She also insisted that there is no magical tool available that will ensure the over 13s to stay safe.
She also gave an example of her family life and claimed that parents also have a role to play. She said that with her young teenage daughters, she had numerous conversations regarding the experiences they would have during their online time and how they can take advantage of the privacy settings and tools. The company is also enforcing parental support groups that will help the elders ensure their children’s safety on Facebook as well as the entire World Wide Web.
But at the last night’s charity event, the NSPCC found Mrs. Bickert’s comments to be a wary reflection of the company’s acknowledgment of the hidden dangers. A representative at the event said that the social networks are not safe for the children and it is essential that companies like Facebook introduce regulatory methods for their safeguard.
In fact, several campaigners warned that many children are using Facebook and Instagram while some parents don’t even know of the age restrictions set by these sites.
Last year, the research group eMarketer estimated that around 600,000 youngsters under the age of 12 log on to Facebook at least once a month while Ofcom also said that the majority of under 12-year olds have their own social media profile.
Just this year, Instagram made headlines when 14-year old Molly Russel took her own life after seeing self-harm images on the platform. Her father also claimed that the app was somewhat responsible for his daughter’s suicide.
Nevertheless, Facebook is making amendments, and trying to make their platform more transparent, especially when it comes to spam/fake accounts and child abusing photography. The platform is also developing tools that will enhance the protection of users from cyberbullying, porn, and other illicit content.
Photo: Chesnot via Getty Images
Read next: Facebook creating disease prevention maps with the help of its user's data
