When should kids get on Facebook? - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

When is your child ready for a Facebook account? And when they get one, how difficult will it be to police?

The internet is an endless abyss a world that can be terrifying for parents with so-called "tweens."

So when it comes to social media, FOX 5's Tom Haynes went looking for guidelines and found a family who's come up with a way to "friend" Facebook.

Siobhan and Sheridan both excel in the arts. Fourteen-year-old Sheridan loves to play the guitar and her little sister isn't bad on the piano either.

Mom and dad don't mind if they use the internet for homework, or if they play video games from time-to-time, but when it comes to Facebook mom says, "Not so fast."

"You never know where they're going….There's just so much out there that's not good," said Mondria Davenport.

In the world of social media that means gossip, bullies -- even predators.

"It's not so much that we don't trust them, it's that we can't trust everyone else," said Davenport.

Parenting expert Dr. Erik Fisher says despite the dangers, most kids want their own Facebook accounts.

"I've had kids as young as six who are aware of what their parents are doing, what some other kids might be doing and what they see their older siblings doing and they really want to be a part of that," said Fisher.

Fisher says if that happens, sit down with them and show them what's appropriate and what's not.
Teach them not to talk to anyone online they don't know.

"It's more than just about talking with their friends. It's about communication, about what they're going to see -- and it's about building trust," said Fisher.

If they 'do' get their own page, monitor it, check it daily.

"And as you're monitoring it, as a parent, be aware not to just look and critique, but talk to them about what they're doing," said Fisher.

Now that she's graduated 8th grade, Sheridan has her own Facebook page, but don't expect to get a friend request from her anytime soon.

"I'm actually planning on doing a lot of reading this summer, because I feel like I didn't read enough during the school year," said Sheridan.

When it comes to social media, mom and dad are happy that Siobhan has her big sis to look up to. For them, staying one step ahead in this day and age is tough enough.

"Unfortunately for people of my generation,  this is just something that's going to happen. It's a sign of the times and I have to step up and learn from both of them," said Davenport.

Mondria Davenport had her daughter come up with her own set of rules for using Facebook. She says that gave her a sense of empowerment and responsibility.