Facebook, FarmVille and MySpace aren’t just for generation Y users anymore. A recent CNN article, “Social networks and kids: how young is too young?”, explores a social-networking trend among a much younger generation. Studies have shown that joining these sites at such an early age can lead to Internet addiction and could damage children’s relationships and brains. Since technology is at its peak children have become accustomed to computers, cell phones, and the internet. Most of these children are on social networking sites to communicate with friends but a small number abuse these privileges. Now children are growing up in an era where at age 10 they can’t live with out their cell phone. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that these same children are joining sites that are intended for a much older generation. Although most sites require users to be at least 13 there is no way to validate their ages. A growing number of children are signing on to these sites, which leads me to the question: How safe are they?

Technology is everywhere so banning it isn’t the answer. But adult supervision and sites with limited functions can help kids use these sites in an age-appropriate way. I don’t necessarily agree with Facebook and MySpace being used at such a young age, however, there are some sites that are “kid friendly.” Disney offers Club Penguin and the hugely popular Webkinz, which are both ad-free and offer safe chat features for kids to connect online.

You are never to old to join the world of social networking sites. But in my opinion, Facebook at age 5 is definitely too young.