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Both of my kids have email accounts. We have rules about email use, just like we do about television or anything else in life. Email is a very normal thing for them, if ther ever get anythig questionable they run to us, the 12 yo has learned to be pretty savy and just delete stuff, if he's not sure, he always asks. We have his passwords and he knows we have access and can monitor any time. He also knows if he violates rules, he can lose all of his computer priviledges.
I really don't understand the logic of keeping these things out of their hands, they can be used responsibly, don't pose a great risk, when used in proper environment. How do we expect them to grow up and use tecchnology appropriately if we don't teach them as kids? That seems like trying to prevent them from learning swear words by not teaching them language.
When I sign up for free e-mail, I am asked for my DOB (which I always fib for fun). Any younger than 16 and it asks for parent verification with a valid credit card ($1 charge, or something like that). An actual kid younger than 16 could just lie about his/her age to get their own free e-mail account without parents.
I just went and set up an email account with the DOB of a 13 year old. No CC was needed, nor was parental approval. Parental approval is only needed when the child is under the age of 13. A lot of websites' TOS say that you need to be at least 13 to use the site, I've never seen anywhere that says you need to be at least 16. Unless its adult content, then you need to be 18 (or 21 if its an alcohol website in the US).
Here's a link to the Children's online privacy protection rule:
Kids hardly even use email anymore. My daughter (now 15) was getting information from teachers by text, Facebook and the school website by the time she was in middle school. She's had an email account for years but she doesn't check it very often.
Yes, my kids have had e-mail accounts through Google for several years for both personal use and student use. We did verify their accounts using a credit card and paid the dollar. We use Google calendar to keep our family running smoothly, and our kids receive updates from various groups & teams via e-mail. Additionally, e-mail and Google+ are the primary way all of us keep in touch with extended family. I don't like it, but it's very difficult for a young person, and most adults for that matter, to function today without at least e-mail. Plus, in the large scheme of things, e-mail is pretty basic. There are dozens of social platforms available, many of which my kids use daily, and more are coming on-line every day. It's futile to resist.
Man from reading some of these posts, some of you people are strict parents.
I remember back when I was in school they gave you emails when you were in 9th grade(14/15 yrs old). It went through the district's server so no spam, viruses etc.
I had gmail/yahoo mail when I was 12 if I remember right. Got it first so I could get Facebook, then later on YouTube. Do some of the parents in this thread think pornography/graphic images/viruses is still sent through email? Those days are long gone. I didnt get anything in my email when I first started it. I mean I really don't get why some parents are strict with letting their kids have email. Please explain to me
If you're gonna put restrictions on email, you might as well take the Internet away since that houses ALOT more potential for a kid to get in trouble.
So... I'm pretty strict but having an e-mail address is not a big deal to me. That's normal. It's not like an anonymous message board. I registered both of my children's e-mails with a fake age so they could get their real names as gmail addresses.
They use the e-mail (they are in early primary, by the way) to write to relatives since I don't want them posting on facebook at this age. To me e-mail, while not private, is less public than facebook. Sure, it could be subpoenaed, and we have explained that as best as we can to children. We've also explained that people can get into your account.
But yeah, they can send messages to their grandparents, aunt, etc.
They can also get updates from websites like pbskids.org and Ranger Rick. They can also write their teachers (my stepdaughter, a young teen, actually does that at times).
I see no problem with it.
That said, your diary is private, and the rest is open to me until you are out of the house. I will respect your privacy but if I can't get into it in case of an emergency (i.e. if you change the password) then you're off the Internet and I WILL contact Google. I can't imagine that happening outside of a situation in which my child were showing a lot of signs of a drug addiction or something similarly dangerous and illegal.
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If you're gonna put restrictions on email, you might as well take the Internet away since that houses ALOT more potential for a kid to get in trouble.
Yep. And we do have restrictions on screen time: where, when, and how long it may be used. We drop in.
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Kids hardly even use email anymore. My daughter (now 15) was getting information from teachers by text, Facebook and the school website by the time she was in middle school.
This must depend on the district / school. Our kids get updates by e-mail. Text would probably get a faster response though, LOL.
I've never needed a CC for an email account, or an age for that matter. So I doubt it. I like my reasons better
Yep, no cc for email. I help people open email accounts frequently at work. It may be that you are required to say you are an adult, but who really cares? If you lie, they can say whatever bad thing happens is your fault. My kids have had email accounts since 4th grade or so. I can monitor them if I need to, but honestly, they are so beyond that. Snapchat, Instagram...those are the hot communication methods now.
My oldest does use email to send and receive documents from classmates and teachers. It is needed for schoolwork. My youngest...probably does not use her email for anything. (they both have smartphones)
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