Community Corner

Facebook May Allow Users Under 13 [POLL]

Facebook may revamp its age requirements, according to reports; sound off in our Patch poll

Facebook has tapped into almost every demographic over the past few years—college students eager to tag photographs, Gen Xers seeking to reconnect with old classmates, and high schoolers all-too-happy to converse through the small chat box in the lower right corner.

Almost every demographic. But what about youngsters?

The social networking site currently bans users under the age of 13—but that may change in the near future.

Find out what's happening in Nyack-Piermontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Facebook may be planning technology that would allow children under 13 to register for the site and give parents more control over how their kids use it. A child's account would link to their parents', who would then have control over apps, friend requests and other features.

The Journal says some 7.5 million pre-teens are on the site already, by lying about their age.

Find out what's happening in Nyack-Piermontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Facebook, concerned that it faces reputation and regulatory risks from children already using the service despite its rules, believes it has little choice but to look into ways of establishing controls that could formalize their presence on the site," the Journal reports.

So, Patch wants to know: are you all for the change? Vehemently opposed? Or something else entirely? Vote in our poll below, and be sure to sound off in the comments.

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