Parents Increasingly Permissive in Letting Underage Kids Use Social Media

why so bitter? no friends? i for one enjoy talking to my friends and relatives on facebook.

well to each their own opinion. i would agree with you that kids get way too much these days and they shouldn't be handed everything they want. they don't need a lot of what they have and don't need the latest and greatest of everything. however, i don't see the problem with younger kids having a basic phone in their backpacks for safety reasons to contact parents when they need to. a lot of kids are on their own now and i think if their parents feel the need to let their kids contact them, it's their right. if it's because their friends all have one, that's a different story. as for makeup & licenses i couldn't agree with you more! facebook i would say use judgement. i think it does some good for kids in maybe 5th or 6th grade socially to talk with friends that otherwise might have a hard time making and meeting up with friends. however, i think the account should be strictly monitored and controlled. this is from experience with a child with problems and facebook actually led to helping make friends at school making the transition easier starting out electronically to actually talking. again, using judgement. i don't understand the fierce opposition to facebook that some people have that feel it is just for harassing, bullying, gossiping, etc. it can be used as a great tool.

Oh boy, you're a drill sergeant, aren't you? I'd be willing to bet your kids DO have FB, or My Space.

Do you live in the dark ages? I, too, thought that cell phones were a luxury, until my kids started hanging out around town and couldn't find a pay phone to check in with. And, the best way for our exchange students to communicate with their host families before they left for Germany last year was to contact them on FB. So, you are entitled to lock your kids away from the world, but you are doing them absolutely no favors.

The parents who teach their kids responsible electronic usage are leaps and bounds ahead of you, my dear, because our kids won't abuse the privilege. Also, I don't understand these parents who spend thousands of dollars on phone bills! They make these nifty little things called prepaid phones, you add minutes as needed. What an idiotically EASY way to monitor your kids usage!

I feel sorry for your kids madam Drill Sergeant! Best of luck with them

I absolutely agree with you Tracie.

What's the rush to grow up? Their brains are still developing and it's too much and not necessary. My 5th grade daughter is told repeatedly she can have a phone when she gets a car, 16, period.

Drill sergeant? How about involved parenting?!

WoW!!! That is too funny. Is my 11 and 13 year old suppose to have a job? I think not. But as far as having cell phones,Yes mam they sure do. But they also have to mow the yard, clean the pool,take out ALL the trash,mop the floors and vacuum. Oh and did I mention they are BOTH honor roll kids. So do they get their cell phones for free??? NOPE. I feel sorry for your kids. They will most definitely be doing things behind YOUR back!!!

@Tracie Smith
I'm just curious as to why you get off on telling parents how to raise their children? I have a nine year old daughter and we raise her very well. She's very smart. A's and B's in school. She's responsible and very well mannered and she's in no way spoiled.

And guess what? She has a social media account and she has a cell phone along with her personal Laptop. She also has an ipad, ipod, Nintendo DS, Nintendo WII and her own television.

She gets manicures with her mother but doesn't wear make up.
It's the children that are sheltered are the ones that you need to be careful of.

Tracie,
Thank you, I completely agree! I have written many comments about my aversion to cell phones and social networking in regards to kids. I have an 11 year-old who wants an i-touch (to carry the internet around in her pocket - um, I don't think so!), and a cell phone (because "all" her friends have one - yeah, right). Using the computer for school assignments is one thing, but texting misspelled and abbreviated conversations with your friends (how do you know for sure it's actually your friend who's texting?) is not a true, healthy relationship. Not every job is behind a computer or desk, either - and although it is important to have tech-knowledge, it's just as important our kids learn how to use their emotions and form meaningful relationships with family, friends and others. My daughter says she wants to be a doctor someday; well, doctors communicate face-to-face with their patients. And what about public speaking or being a manager or some sort - those require lots of oral communication skills. Although they have made our lives convenient in lots of positive ways, I am saddened how the use of cell phones and other hand-held devices seem to be shortening an already fleeting childhood. You know, there once was a life without these gadgets, when kids actually were active and had cherished friendships - with actually play dates. When parents actually talked out loud with their kids, instead of through " IM-ing" . The fact is, we can still have this (I do!), if parents would stop allowing their kids to have these devices that they don't need - it's just so lazy unhealthy to be plugged-in all the time!

@Lanny
your child isnt spoiled? youre out of your mind. at nine years old, it is extremely easy for her to get A's and B's. if you want to reward her for it, do it with something age appropriate, like toys, candy, or an outing with you or her friends. i'm a freshman in high school with a 4.0, taking all gifted classes, college physics, and two foriegn languages, along with being a state honors violist and a varsity cheerleader, and i dont even have all of the things on your list. my laptop is for school and homework purposes, and my cell phone is strictly emergencies and calling my parents only. theres not even texting on it. the only things your child has that she even should are the DS and wii. and you arent doing her any favors by spoiling so outrageously. when she gets out into the real world, or even just in high school, she will realize that she cant get everything she wants, and that people actually have to work for what they want. others will already know all this, but it sure will be a shock to her.