When Should You Allow Your Child to Create a Facebook or E-mail Account?

Parenting in a highly technology-driven society raises new concerns and decisions that the previous generation of parents did not have to make—e-mails, Facebook, Twitter and the vast land of the Internet all beckon to youngsters and pre-teens.

When is it time to let go and allow children to explore the Web?

Social networking is almost necessary to keep pace with teens today. With the popularity of Facebook and the seeming willingness of young people to participate in “sexting” how can parents manage online interactions without alienating their kids, driving them away from the nest and into an arena full of social predators?

Even Michelle Obama voiced her opinion on her daughters, age 12 and 9, using Facebook: it's not allowed.

Then there's the other side of the story where parents are getting ahead of the game and creating Facebook and e-mail accounts for their infant children. Last October, Internet security firm AVG found that 5 percent of children under age 2 have Facebook accounts in their name.

So what do you think? Does your infant have a Facebook profile? Have you finally allowed your pre-teen to create a profile? What's the right age to bring social networking and e-mail into your child's life?

Severna Park Editor Leslie Hunt contributed to this report.

What topic would you like our Moms Council to explore next week? Vote in the comments below or e-mail maya.prabhu@patch.com.

1. If and how should sodas and/or fast food be allowed in a child's diet?
2. At what age should you start children on solid foods?
3. How much "screen time" is too much?