My 12-year-old son, Jacob, has been nagging me about getting a Facebook page and/or Google Plus account. He also says instead of holiday presents, he wants AT&T gift cards so he can purchase a smart phone.
I don't know where I fall in the scale of leniency, but on occasion I let him stay up late, watch some inappropriate movies, and eat crap. He walks to and from school every day and often to town, the park, and his friends' houses without an escort. He's always been responsible and reliable so I've continued to loosen the reins.
But kids engaging in cyberspace freaks me out.
I see no good reason for him to have access to the internet on his phone, when there's no adult to monitor his activity. The only places he says he visits are ESPN.com, his fantasy team stat pages, and YouTube. He can do all that at home with an adult present.
Part of my argument is that he's already playing XBox, watching sports and other TV, and texting. I don't need his face glued to
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