Facebook is an awesome way to keep in contact with your friends and family. As long as you take advantage of the safety settings, you isn't exposed to much more than the goings on of your friends. However, Facebook contains some risquè quizzes. As long as you're safe, Facebook is just a good tool for staying in touch.
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
OK privacy controls, but safety is up to the user.
updated 03.10.09
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14–16
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Facebook
Parents need to know that privacy functions should be stressed when it comes to this very popular social networking site (which requires that kids to be 13 to join). While members have many options for controlling their profiles -- who can see them, how much they can see, what they can see, and so forth -- there are still ways for the determined to find someone. But you can't easily browse through profiles unless you know the person (or unless the person is one of the very few who make their profiles completely public). Items from the mini news feed (which tracks users' every move and posts it to their friends) can be deleted, and Beacon (which tracks purchases made by users on other sites and sends alerts to their friends) can both be turned off. As with any loosely-regulated social networking site, inappropriate information (think words and photos) often appears in personal profiles. Photos of kids drinking, etc. abound. Also, users have to email the company to delete their profiles, although there are plans to create a button that will do it for you. There are thousands of applications that users can put on their profile (games, virtual gifts) and those that don't meet certain privacy requirements will be banned. A chat function was launched in early April 2008.
Read our full review by Jean Armour Polly
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about Internet safety with social networking sites and how nothing is private on the Internet. What information should you include in your profile, and what should you leave out besides identifying information? How do you know if you can trust someone enough to make them a "friend" so they have access to your private information?
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Our Members Say
See all 47 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in IllinoisI rate this title iffy for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Safety isn't an issue
- User content is age appropriate
Awesome Site For Smart Users
- Lives in KentuckyI rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- User content isn't age appropriate
- My highlights are:
- Safety isn't an issue
- User content is age appropriate
great social networking site
I have had a Facebook for about a month now and I enjoy it... I get on everyday, socialize, interactive extras and more.... Sometimes on this website users can post inappropriate content(But what social Networking site doesn't have users that do) Sexual content is not tolerated but yet Photos, Blog thoughts, and more... Can contain sex related topics and ideas. Language is used and is not filtered(Freedom of speech) ON the plus side Privacy controls are great and user content is to
- Lives in ArkansasI rate this title on for age 12 and give it
It doesnt have to be bad, you join all those clubs or add all the wrong things to make it bad. It can be very fun if you make it that way...(:
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
OK for kids with proper security settings
I created an account for my 11 yo son. I put a picture of his cat as his profile picture, then he can upload pictures of himself within the site that only his friends can see. I have his username and pasword and I monitor his activity and friends - he is not allowed to accept a friend w/o my permission. It's fun for him because his aunt and grandma also have accounts, so they can share pictures and stories. No one can see anything about him unless I allow it. You're supposed to be 14 or older to get an account, but I think it's OK for younger kids as long as parents have full control and go online with their kids to add photos and send messages - it's a fun thing to do together, and you might even get to know some of their friends.
- Lives in North CarolinaI rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Not nearly as bad as people make it out to be.
Facebook is not a global rape network like everyone I know over 40 seems to believe. Facebook is a site where you can stay in touch with people you already know. It's hard to meet new people since to find people you need to search stuff that you already know about them, such as their name, email address, or school. You can easily limit who sees what you put up to just friends, as well as block specific indeviduals. The only innapropriate stuff you come in contact with is stuff that you or your friends put up. I enjoy using this site to be with friends when I can't physically meet people, and anyone with an inkling of common sense can easily stay safe when using this site. Give your kids some credit.
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