Facebook May Consider Letting Children Under 13 Create Accounts

This morning the Wall Street Journal reported that Facebook is considering letting those under the age of 13 on the site.  Since day one, Facebook has always been accessible for teenagers or adults.  one of the biggest issues with those under the age of 13 who are using Facebook by using false information is that they do put themselves at risk due to their permission levels.  Giving children significantly reduced permission levels and monitoring could help circumvent issues of  forged accounts.

CBS news also reports:

The company is testing a way to connect kids’ accounts with their parents’, the paper reports, citing people who have spoken with Facebook executives.

The social network has grown substantially since inception and a variety of positives could come from this new addition.  The acquisition of Instagram and Facebook camera are logical features that would allow children to share activities in a strictly visual format.  The games ecosystem within Facebook is also a free way for children to compete against each other with no consoles required.

A study from the LA Times last year tied Facebook usage to a slew of health images including  antisocial personality disorder along with anxiety and depression.  No official plans have been released, but it is being “considered.”