uKnowKids Offers Tips to Keep Kids Safe on Facebook

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If Facebook can create some ‘digital training wheels’ and a safe place for children to learn how to the use social networks and the internet, we not only Like it, we love it.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) June 08, 2012

Parents could face a new challenge if media speculation about lowering the age that kids can join Facebook is true. This week, rumors swirled that children under the age of 13 may soon be able to join Facebook with accounts tied to their parents’ existing account. uKnowKids, a leader in the kids safety and parental intelligence systems, is helping parents navigate the potential new online reality with tips for keeping kids of all ages safe online. uKnowKids launched “Facebook Under 13”, an infographic that illustrates some of the pros and cons of allowing younger children to create Facebook profiles.

A critical part of keeping kids safe online is teaching children internet and social networking safety at a young age. Allowing younger kids access to Facebook while giving parents the tools to monitor the accounts is a step in the right direction. uKnowKids Community Outreach Manager Tyler O’Rourke says the parental monitoring aspect is just what parents need to send kids into the online world safely. “Just imagine teaching your child how to ride a bike for the first time and thinking you can skip training wheels; they will get hurt,” he says. “If Facebook can create some ‘digital training wheels’ and a safe place for children to learn how to the use social networks and the internet, we not only Like it, we love it.”

If your child is getting on Facebook, here is what you need to know:

•         Start teaching children about Facebook and other social networks at an early age; even if its just helping you post family photos or videos on your own wall – its good to use every opportunity to teach.
•         When the time comes that they are allowed to set up their own profile, sit them down and have a conversation regarding “house rules” and what is expected. (uKnowKids offers a free Internet and Mobile Safety Pledge for situation)
•         Don’t ever assume that raising them right will ever be enough–often times its not your child who may cause a problem, but it doesn’t mean they will know how to handle it.
•     Finally – use a Parental Intelligence System, or at the very least, monitor their account. Some parents choose to “friend” their child, but with privacy settings kids can easily block what mom and dad see.

Download the Facebook Under 13 infographic here.

About uKnow.com
Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Arlington, Va., uKnow.com is the only company that offers a parental intelligence system available for both private-label and consumer use. The company powers the world's leading Parental Intelligence Systems including uKnowKids.com, KidSafe.me, SafeCyberKids.com, SocialFirefly.com, aBeanstalk.com, MySocialScout.net, and p911Safety.com, among others.
uKnow.com works with companies and organizations to help parents protect their kids from child predators, sexting, and cyberbullying with a special focus on the social networks and mobile phone. uKnow.com’s technology provides parents with a bird's eye view of what is going on in their child's digital world so that they can keep their finger on the pulse, and when necessary, take action to protect the safety and privacy of their kids. You can find uKnow.com on Twitter at twitter.com/uKnow_com, on Facebook at facebook.com/uKnow.com, and on their Parenting Blog.

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