Should There Be An Age Limit For Steemit? - 15 Year Old Content

Should there be an age limit for Steemit? Hey Steemers, Nolan here. This is a question I have been asking myself for quite some time now. Today I will be sharing my thoughts on this topic.

Since Steemit is on a blockchain, user's get rewarded STEEM that can be cashed out for $ for publishing content and voting on content. When more kids in the future find out about this they are going to see $ signs everywhere!

(P.S. This is a picture of me with my new Steemit shirt :)

When you sign up for social media you are required to put your DOB. On Steemit.com, you are not asked/required to put in your DOB.

I have mixed opinions with being required to put in your DOB..

Obviously, under age kids on social media always lie about there age so what is the point of putting in your DOB?

A survey reveals, Three-quarters of children aged between 10 and 12 have social media accounts despite being below the age limit, a survey has found on Safer Internet Day

Reasons why children should not be allowed on social media:

   

1. Cyber Predators

With millions of people around the world regularly logging in to social media, odds are there will be some dangerous people attempting to contact your child. Sexual predators are a real threat to young children. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, it is believed that more than half a million pedophiles are online every day. These predators mask their true identity, and transform themselves into whoever they need to be to lure naive children into their web. Predators may lurk in chat rooms or use instant messengers to send pornographic messages or pictures. Some may even try to arrange a meeting with your child.

2. Depression

In some children, too much access to social media can trigger low self-esteem, and the intensity of the online world can cause or worsen anxiety or depression. "Facebook Depression," a term coined by the American Academy of Pediatrics, may result when children see status updates or photos that make them feel unpopular or excluded from events. Youngsters who use Facebook to compare themselves to others also may experience feelings of self-worthlessness.

3. Digtal Footprints

Digital footprints refer to the fact that what is posted online does not go away -- posts and tweets will follow your children into adulthood. Young children lack the foresight to censor their online activities for those who may see their postings in the future. They do not have the awareness or maturity to realize how future employment opportunities, relationships or college applications may be impacted by anything unflattering they or others post online. The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act prohibits web sites from collecting information on children younger than 13 years without parental permission. Consequently, the official terms of service for many popular sites now mirror the COPPA regulations and state that 13 years is the minimum age to sign up and have a profile. Twitter, however, does not have an age minimum. 

Benefits:

  Not all effects of social media are harmful. Social networking allows children to communicate easily with friends and family they do not see regularly. It also can provide opportunities for community involvement, like raising money for charity and volunteering for political or philanthropic events. It also exposes them to different ideas and ideologies, and helps to develop the type of technical and social skills necessary for 21st century living. 

CNN reported a new study in 2011 finding that parents help kids lie to get on Facebook:

 "Our data show that many parents knowingly allow their children to lie about their age -- in fact, often help them to do so -- in order to gain access to age-restricted sites," the authors wrote in the study's introduction.

The vast majority (95%) of the parents of 10-year-olds on Facebook were aware when their child signed up for the site, and 78% of those parents helped create the child's account, according to the study. For 11- and 12-year-olds, the percentages of parental knowledge and involvement were slightly lower.

Although 89% of the parents surveyed believe there should be a minimum age for Facebook, 78% believe there are circumstances that make it OK for their child to sign up for an online service even if he or she does not meet the site's minimum age requirement.

Conclusion

So, I mean does Steemit really need to require your DOB when you sign up? Unless they make it where more verification is required I personally don't think it should be necessary. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section!

Until Next Time!