The use of social networking sites by young children has grown rapidly.  Sometimes children under 10 are using adult social networking sites like Facebook or MySpace and sometimes they are using sites specifically designed for their age group, like Club Penguin.

Social networking is only one of the increasingly interactive activities designed for young children online, many with a commercial focus.  There are a number of websites that are commercial brand sites; there are also social networking sites and interactive virtual worlds, often dubbed ‘virtual playgrounds’.  The distinction between these three types of sites is rapidly blurring.

Recent UK research found that for children 8-17 who use the internet, almost half (49%) have set up their own profile and 41% of those had their profile set so it was visible to anyone. Twenty-seven percent of 8-11 year olds who are aware of social networking sites say that they have a profile on a site, though some are on sites intended for children (Ofcom, 2008). 

Some of these sites have clear policies on the minimum age for membership or registration. Yet until the technology is readily available that will allow for accurate age verification, such sites are really relying on the parental supervision of children to ensure the site is appropriate.  You can compare the safety information, policies and level of monitoring of interaction between people on the site (could be adults or children) as you select websites for your child.  Some sites offer a setting that only allows pre-selected dialogue to be exchanged – this is a good way for a young child to begin with social networking.   You can select not only the site but the settings for your child.

There is a lot of helpful information available for parents on monitoring their children’s social networking profiles and deciding what’s appropriate for your family.  If your child is ready for an online profile, then they are also ready for a very important discussion about privacy and digital profiles.  No child under 10 needs a fully public profile – the profile needs to be restricted to friends and family.