Urgent advise needed re: Hi5 and childrens accounts!

[Replies: 1]
I am a concerned father who has recently split up from my wife. My son has just created a Hi5 account and I am rather concerned as he has only just turned 7 years old.
The account is public and he has pictures of himself and his 2 year old sister throughout the account aswell as other children.
I don't want to sound melodramatic but i have heard a lot about children being targeted over the Internet.
I don't want to appear to be unreasonable, but I need to know the facts. I am not on speaking terms with my ex. So it would be hard for me to instruct her to stop him.
I would like to know the facts about how appropriate it is for a child of such a tender age to have a social networking. account. Could anyone advise me or guide me to such information.
Many thanks
Last Post Mar 30, 2008 8:07 PM by: Maureen
Maureen
Posts: 667
Registered: 6/13/07
(2 of 2)

Re: Urgent advise needed re: Hi5 and childrens accounts!

Mar 30, 2008 8:07 PM
Welcome Alexandros, Your instincts are right on - Hi5 is not appropriate for a 7-year-old. In fact, Hi5's Terms of Service requires members be at least 13.

I'm sorry you don't feel you can speak to your ex-wife about this. But regardless, it sounds like it's time for a chat with your son about what's appropriate and safe online behavior at his age. Then watch as he cancels the Hi5 account. Of course he can always set up another one in minutes – that’s why good parent-child communication is the best tool out there for handling issues like this.

Thanks for your post, Alexandros. Please let us know how it goes.

All the best,

Maureen

~
Maureen Kochan
ConnectSafely forum manager

Alexandros
Posts: 1
From: Birmingham
Registered: 3/30/08
(1 of 2)

Urgent advise needed re: Hi5 and childrens accounts!

Mar 30, 2008 1:51 PM
I am a concerned father who has recently split up from my wife. My son has just created a Hi5 account and I am rather concerned as he has only just turned 7 years old.
The account is public and he has pictures of himself and his 2 year old sister throughout the account aswell as other children.
I don't want to sound melodramatic but i have heard a lot about children being targeted over the Internet.
I don't want to appear to be unreasonable, but I need to know the facts. I am not on speaking terms with my ex. So it would be hard for me to instruct her to stop him.
I would like to know the facts about how appropriate it is for a child of such a tender age to have a social networking. account. Could anyone advise me or guide me to such information.
Many thanks