Children sometimes become secretive about their mobile phone activities when they grow up. Having a Facebook account may not be that important to you, but it’s a real deal when it comes to kids.
Facebook allows 13-year-olds to create accounts under certain restrictions and has stricter policies if you are underage. This is why users can and should report underage Facebook accounts.
But how exactly do you do it? There is a simple way to report underage accounts on Facebook.
How to report an underage account on Facebook
If you see a child under the age of 13 on Facebook, you can simply fill out a form and report it. The rest is on Facebook. There are some simple steps to take.
Paste the link, add the full name, actual age of the child, and other information that may be useful during the review.
Tap Send to submit the report for review.
Facebook may require your assistance or verification proof to proceed with the report. For recovery, the minor account has to submit details such as official documents or proof of identity. Failure to do so will result in permanent disabling of the account.
How to request Facebook account data for your underage child from Facebook
As a parent, you can allow children to use Facebook. However, it is always of interest to know what the child is doing on the app. Facebook understands the mindset of parents and the need to monitor them.
Parents can request data from their minor child’s Facebook account. You will be required to fill out a verification form for data privacy purposes.
Successful verification will process the request and qualify you for data representing your underage child’s activities on Facebook.
Why should you report an underage Facebook account?
Allowing an underage child to use Facebook may not seem dangerous to some, but there is some real reason to avoid it. Here are some reasons why you should report an underage Facebook account.
Facebook can be addictive
Social media addiction is real, and exposing your kids to Facebook at a young age can prime their brains to use the app in the long run. Initially, it can be exciting to try out the endless Facebook features, but the addiction can slowly build up and start catching up with you.
Children should use Facebook in a restricted and balanced schedule at the recommended age to avoid addiction. Involve children in creative activities and games that enhance their physical and mental abilities, leaving them less time for social media.
This can lead to cyberbullying
Kids can use Facebook for fun, but the threat of cyberbullying is always there.
It can start with intimidating messages and threats. Other children at the school may also approach the children in an attempt to bully them. Messenger Kids is a relatively safer and more convenient option for parents to keep an eye on their kids.
It can make mental health issues worse
Like adults, children can also face mental health problems. Research has shown that regular use of Facebook can affect the self-esteem of underage users. Seeing so-called fake perfection on social media can cause them to constantly compare themselves with others and have a negative effect on their mind.
It may expose your child to inappropriate content
The Facebook Community Guidelines are pretty strict – you can even get banned from Facebook for uploading something explicit and offensive. However, some Facebook users still find ways to upload inappropriate content.
Young children may be exposed to this material if they have lied about their age and are using Facebook despite the age limit.
Say no to underage facebook accounts
Children 13 and older are legally allowed to use Facebook under certain restrictions. Being a responsible adult, you can file and report accounts you know are too young to be on Facebook. Facebook will request verification from the reported account and check whether it needs to be permanently deleted.
Requesting your child’s Facebook data is another option, but verifying that you are their parent/guardian is imperative.