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  • At what age is too young for an email account? My SIL got her kids email accounts starting at first grade. Everything was about technology-they never had board games. My DCs went to spend the weekend at MILs house and she went ahead and set up accounts for them and had them emailing their cousins-WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION. She said "well they need to be friends with their cousins." Excuse me?? My kids are in kindergarten and third grade; the cousins are in middle school. So angry right now I could scream.

    17 replies [ Reply | Watch | Options ]
    09.28.09, 12:05 PM [ Flag ]

    • I would just tell her that you'd rather the emails go through your account for right now and close their accounts.

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      09.28.09, 12:08 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • I am holding out until at least 10yo. Your MIL was wrong, but to be fair, she's in a different generation and might not fully get the possible ramifications of doing this. Just tell her.

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      09.28.09, 12:14 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • i would have a problem with this; tell her your children can write to hers.

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      09.28.09, 12:18 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

      • My 8yr old has had email for about a year now (since 2nd grade.) There are restrictions - like he is only allowed on the computer when I'm around, etc. and I, obviously, have access to all his email...but, honestly? I think it would be a disservice for him NOT to. He has great computer skills and his typing is getting very good...skills I think are very, very important. He also has a blog he updates, adds photos to, etc. (private and only family members and some close friends have the access)

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        09.28.09, 12:52 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • oh, who cares. calm down. you're better off teaching them how to use the computer, etiquette, and what's appropriate than trying to cut them off from the real world.

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      09.28.09, 12:53 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

      • ^^it's not like she set up a Facebook page -- it's an email account. relax.

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        09.28.09, 12:54 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

        • ita. they were emailing cousins. Your house though, your rules - don't let them at home on your computer if it bothers you. I don't think it is any worse than TV, video games, etc., etc., etc. Better than most. Obviously, WRITING a letter to the cousins would be ideal, but I think you should let this one go.

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          09.28.09, 12:59 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • whoa! I would be pissed. I am going to have the talk with dc about everything you type now can be found by employers later - and your children are WAY TOO YOUNG to get that. I would tell dc that MIL didn't know your rules about email - and even tho they have these accounts they ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE THE COMPUTER. Period. Wouldn't say too much to MIL. I'd just deal with dc.

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      09.28.09, 01:22 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

      • you don't let your kids use a computer? really? wow. my kid does computers at school (including how to use email)

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        09.28.09, 01:24 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

        • np: I don't let my kids use the computer either. It's basically another video game, and we have plenty of video distractions available already. I figure they'll pick up computer skills when they need them. I learned at 26 and now I'm a web designer. We used to let them on Webkinz and I really disliked it because it was all about purchasing stuff, and other mothers would argue, "but there are educational games on there!" It is what it is, let's not try and make it something it's not.

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          09.28.09, 06:04 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

      • OMG you are so strict. I can't wait for dd to use the computer. I just bought her a toddler mouse

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        09.28.09, 06:10 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • I think it's fine. When dd asks she'll get an email. I don't know why you are so freaked

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      09.28.09, 06:06 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]

    • The problem is that your SIL didn't clear it with the parents, i.e. you. It is not age of your kids or attitude towards technology - it's about who has the authority to act on behalf of your children. What's SIL going to do next, set up a living will for the kids?

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      09.28.09, 06:34 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
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