Do you have kids in your home clamoring to be on Facebook? Is it a good idea?
Kids are, in general, pretty savvy about the internet. They want to be online connecting with their friends, they see their adult role models glued helplessly to the site, they can figure out how to navigate the virtual world in a flash…. Trying to shield them from this alternate plane is not an option and besides, there are benefits to being able to navigate the web’s offerings.
The problem is, for one thing, Facebook is supposedly for 13 years of age and older. We’ve all seen younger kids on there who’ve fibbed about their age to open up a FB account, apparently with parental okay. But even if you’re 13, remember that Facebook was originally created for college age adults, contrives the loosest possible standards for privacy, and has never pretended to be suitable for kids. Its goal is to make money – and that’s by doing whatever they can to squeeze info out of people and appeal to advertisers.
And then there is the abundance of unsavory stuff on the site, along with the assorted weirdos and meanies.
What’s the alternativ
e?
Check out Yoursphere.com – it’s a full-featured social networking site specially designed for and by kids and teens. Not only is Yoursphere packed with activity kids like, it’s specifically for young people up to age 18 (no adults allowed). The site fully complies with federal privacy laws for youth, and it is the only community that gives out terrific rewards just for being an active participant along with opportunities to win scholarship money, support favorite charities and much more.
We’ve just started working with the talented team at Yoursphere, and the more we learn the more we appreciate what this company is offering. Led by nationally known children’s online safety expert Mary Kay Hoal, Yoursphere has created a site that parents and kids can feel good about joining (I say this with personal experience).
We’ll post more about Yoursphere in the days to come — in fact a nine-year-old little lady who lives with us is also an enthusiastic advocate who wants to write about why kids should join Yoursphere.
One example of a creative outlet for her: this past year she discovered a “really, really old” series of books that none of her friends had heard about nor could she get them interested. (Animorphs, from the dusty olden days of the 1980s.) On Yoursphere, she was able to create her own “Sphere” specially dedicated to Animorph obsession, which has drawn other Animorphees, and has been a big thrill for her.
I’m totally paraphrasing here but Yoursphere founder Mary Kay said something along these lines which really stuck with me: ”When your kid wants to learn how to ride a bike, you don’t just shove them onto the freeway and shout encouragingly, ‘Figure it out but be careful!’ No, you help them learn the ropes, maybe bolt a couple training wheels onto their little bike, make sure they’re in a safe area where they can practice and explore without getting run down by an 18-wheeler.” Think of the wild woolly world of adult social networking. Maybe a little more age-appropriate, safe and fun platform is a good first step instead.
The following comes from Yoursphere’s FAQ page. If you have young people in your life who want to play in the social networking realm, this is a terrific site for them to learn the ropes, safely and while having fun. -jdf
From Yoursphere.com:
Why should I join Yoursphere?
For lots of good reasons:
- The most dynamic online home for you and your friends to connect, play, and share videos and photos
- Spheres full of people interested in the stuff you care about
- A private virtual world where you can create your own avatar, roller blade, go to the beach, fly, and more
- Amazing gifts you get for free
- Opportunities to earn a scholarship, mentorship, or once in a lifetime experience
- Hundreds of FREE games
- Kid and teen-only community (that means no one over 18; no predators, sex offenders, or anonymous users)
- Weekly contests with great prizes
- Regular donations to youth philanthropies that help children and families, or to schools that need extra support
Related Articles
- Yoursphere Before Facebook for Tweens and Teens (connectwithyourteens.blogspot.com)
