by JennM

Created on: July 13, 2009

Not only can children get addicted to Facebook but so can adults and parents. So the first thing that should be looked at when a parent feels their child is addicted to Facebook is whether or not they as a parent is addicted as well. Children are likely to follow in their parents footsteps so setting good examples for them is the best way to start.

Now, if the parent does not have a Facebook account but their child does, I highly suggest the parent gets one as well. This will allow the parent to monitor their child's Facebook activity more closely....assuming the child accepts you as a friend....which if they refuse then I would be led to believe that they were up to something you would disapprove of and the solution to that would be to block their access to it.

A child may be addicted to Facebook because they are lacking that social aspect of it when they are at home. This may be because the parents are always at work and rarely home, busy with smaller sibling or other activities, or maybe just do not have that social connection with their children...especially during the teenage years. Parents making time for the children is a great way to keep them off of Facebook.

It could be that the child does not have enough responsiblities at home. For instance, if a child comes home from school and goes straight to the computer and stays on Facebook until bedtime, then the parent should look into more of a household structure such as assigning chores and making sure homework is done.

Internet access could also be limited. The child could be allowed 30 minutes of online time a day. The time limits could be increased or decreased by good and bad behaviors.

Overall, if a parent is really concerned about their child being addicted to Facebook then the suggestions above could be looked into. A parent can also look at Facebook as a way for the child to gain social skills. But either way a parent looks at it, there is no question that the child's safety and protection is of the upmost priority. A parent should alwasy know what their child is doing on the Internet which is why it is suggested that the parent has a Facebook account as well. Sometimes a child (as can adults) can become a completely different person online than when face to face with someone.

Not all guidelines will work on all children. A parent will generally know what will or will not work for their child and should base their decisions around that. It is also up to the parent to determine what they consider to be an addiction to Facebook.

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