Facebook Exploring Options for Letting Children Under 13 Use Service

The world's largest social media site wants to expand its user base.

The Wall Street Journal reports Facebook is looking for ways to allow children under the age of 13 to use the site. Currently, the service is only available to those 13 years of age and older.

According to CBS News, Facebook, like many other online sites, prohibits children under 13 from using the service due to federal laws requiring companies to obtain parental consent before collecting information about those users.

Facebook has acknowledged it is difficult to enforce the ban against younger users.

"We are in continuous dialogue with stakeholders, regulators and other policymakers about how best to help parents keep their kids safe in an evolving online environment," the company said according to the CBS report.

A Business Insider article lists proposed measures to provide privacy and security for younger users as including linking children's accounts to those of their parents and allowing parents to approve friend requests.

"Many recent reports have highlighted just how difficult it is to enforce age restrictions on the Internet, especially when parents want their children to access online content and services," Facebook said in an e-mailed statement to SFGate.com.

A June 2011 survey by Consumer Reports indicated 7.5 million Facebook users are under 13 and more than 5 million were under 10.

Do you think users under the age of 13 should be allowed to use Facebook? Let us know in the comments.