Politics & Government

Speak Out: Facebook Considers Lowering Age Requirement

At what age should children be allowed on Facebook?

Is your 10-year-old child ready for Facebook?

In an attempt to bolster the bottom line for investors, Facebook is considering lowering its minimum age of 13 to register, The Washington Post reports.

"The move highlights what analysts say will be a recurring problem for the newly public firm: Facebook needs to find ways to increase revenue and please its shareholders, but those actions can stir privacy concerns," The Post reported. 

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Since its beginning, Facebook has slowly broadened its scope from being restricted to college campuses to opening access to the general public. Now, Facebook's minimum age requirement is 13, and users who falsify their age to participate violate the site's terms and conditions.

While no decision has yet been made, Facebook says the move would allow the company to do a better job of monitoring bad behavior on the site, rather than wasting energy trying to keep youngsters away. 

Find out what's happening in College Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lawmakers from Massachusetts to Texas are writing the social media giant in opposition to the plans. In Maryland, officials have already voiced concerns with how Facebook affects the young children who already use it.

This spring,  at in Potomac to educate parents on how to better protect their kids on Facebook and other social media. Titled "Facebook 101," the presentation addressed social media dangers ranging from cyberbullying to impersonation to posting inappropriate comments and pictures that can be seen by anyone—including colleges and employers.

What do you think? Should Facebook lower its age requirement to boost revenue for shareholders? Is trying to maintain an age requirement a losing battle anyway?


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