What age should you be exposed to forums?

What do you guys think is the proper age group that a child should register to forums such as IF?

and how long should the child stay on the forum?

Originally posted by: Indian_girl_18

16

Shouldn't you also give the reason as to why 16 and why not 15 or 17??😕

Coming back to the topic, IMO, 16, as that's the time one goes to high school and are anyway getting more exposure to the outer world.

How much time... well as long as it doesn't affect his/her normal social life and studies, it's ok.

Originally posted by: souro

Shouldn't you also give the reason as to why 16 and why not 15 or 17??😕

Coming back to the topic, IMO, 16, as that's the time one goes to high school and are anyway getting more exposure to the outer world.

How much time... well as long as it doesn't affect his/her normal social life and studies, it's ok.

I was 14 when I stepped in 9th grade and people in US are probably 15 when they start.

These days, kids know a bit too much and pretty much all that goes on in non-DM sections is not hard to comprehend for a 14-15 year old. So, I think 14 is a good enough age to start foruming 😃.

My best friend's brother is 10 and he is on Orkut and has 100-something friends 😕. I don't know who he talks to and what he talks about. Parents really need to keep an eye on activities like this!!

And till when.. as Souro said, as long as it doesn't interfere in their day-to-day happenings, lage raho!

Originally posted by: rutumodi915

I was 14 when I stepped in 9th grade and people in US are probably 15 when they start.

These days, kids know a bit too much and pretty much all that goes on in non-DM sections is not hard to comprehend for a 14-15 year old. So, I think 14 is a good enough age to start foruming 😃.

My best friend's brother is 10 and he is on Orkut and has 100-something friends 😕. I don't know who he talks to and what he talks about. Parents really need to keep an eye on activities like this!!

And till when.. as Souro said, as long as it doesn't interfere in their day-to-day happenings, lage raho!

Actually, I was referring to 11th standard (high school in India). Usually students are 15/16 yrs by the time they reach 11th standard.😊

Originally posted by: souro

Actually, I was referring to 11th standard (high school in India). Usually students are 15/16 yrs by the time they reach 11th standard.😊

Ohh I am sorry. Actually, when I was back in good old India, I started high school in 8th standard. At least, that's what we called it and then 11-12th- we referred to that as higher secondary school. I guess, it works differently in different places!

Originally posted by: souro

Actually, I was referring to 11th standard (high school in India). Usually students are 15/16 yrs by the time they reach 11th standard.😊

Which India. I thought high school was 10th ...😊 when one turns 16...

Being an overprotective older sister, I'd say not until 16/17 😆
But the reality of it is, the real world "educates" and exposes kids to a lot these days and forums such as IF provide "safe havens" for net activity. IF is a relatively serious forum that addresses various topics ranging from music and movies to rape and murder. It is this range that has me concerned with the younger population joining in. Should we be responsible for exposing them to such topics? Are we comfortable to discuss such topics with kids? Is it the right time in their lives to be involved on the internet instead of school, extracurricular activities, etc.?

At age 16/17 kids are entering 10-11 grades. They have been exposed to life at a greater extent and have started forming and developing thoughts, ideas, arguments, etc at a mature level (very generalized statement, not meaning any offense to the younger population of IF). Perhaps a site like IF is better than uninformed discussions elsewhere either in RL or on the net. It acts as yet another buffer that serves to keep them away from less beneficial recreational activities, exposes them to a world (literally) of different backgrounds, thoughts and ideas.

As mentioned, net activity should be limited to an extent where it doesn't interrupt schooling, social and healthy recreational activities, or "normal" developments in life.

As for sites such as Orkut. I think the cut off age should be 18. Those familiar with such forums are aware of the various personalities that join. At 18, the universal age of "adulthood," a person moves past childhood into a more responsible and independent lifestyle. At such a point they are to be held responsible for their actions in life and that typically reflects in the net world.

Of course, this is entirely hypocritical of me. I joined a site similar to Orkut at 15/16. I have been a net-addict since I was in high school (13/14). For me it was an escape portal from reality and allowed me a degree of freedom I didn't have in real life.
My hesitation just stems from the exposure the net-world delivered me.

Originally posted by: rutumodi915

Ohh I am sorry. Actually, when I was back in good old India, I started high school in 8th standard. At least, that's what we called it and then 11-12th- we referred to that as higher secondary school. I guess, it works differently in different places!

Yes you're right, I meant higher secondary.

Originally posted by: souro

Shouldn't you also give the reason as to why 16 and why not 15 or 17??😕

Coming back to the topic, IMO, 16, as that's the time one goes to high school and are anyway getting more exposure to the outer world.

How much time... well as long as it doesn't affect his/her normal social life and studies, it's ok.

High School = 13/14 here

I would say, ideally, 17 😊because that is the age when one goes out of the home and live in dorms and get more freedom to make decisions for them.

I don't mind a 13 or 14 or 15 too as long as kids are surfing such forums with parental guidance and that is parents should be fully aware of the things getting discussed in such forums. I don't like a 14 year old talking about sex and many others topics in great details with strangers even as a debate. Times have changed but there are still certain things kids should only know to such extend. Most of the topics are discussed in school as debate or assignment for awareness and not for giving the entire details and disrupt the regular study time so parental guidance till 16 is at most important when children are in such forums and also check on chatting with strangers. At this age however smart they claim to be, children are vulnerable and it is parents' responsibility to make them aware of negative aspects of such forums and internet.