Biscuit wants a #PixelFed account.
I'm torn.
Like, it's not Instagram! Yay!
He wants to join the federation! Yay!
But also, he's 11. And I've not seen any kids on the fediverse before.
I mean, tbh he's pretty cool on the Internet (way cooler than Miss13).
But I'd want to follow him. And here I get to be just a little bit more myself. More than just a parent. I'd have to clean it up, remove my profile links.
Also, I swear a lot.
Also, he's 11, and I'm not even sure he's allowed one yet.
@vamp i think the law is your easy out here: COPPA
means it has to be 13 or up, unless the person running whatever social media has explicit signed permission, on paper, otherwise. that's in USA, many are more strict.
personally i remember hitting the internet at age 12, and looking back, i know that i had a hell of a lot of "there but for the grace of god go i" moments. make sure you're going to be putting him in a community of people who *will* look after him in an avuncular fashion, tbh.
@vamp i'd recommend maybe setting up a 'walled garden' for him of sorts - like if there's an interest or activity y'all share, have an account dedicated to that. like uhhh - fuck idk what 11 year olds like these days - 'our minecraft builds' or suchlike. that way if you're sharing the account, that's the perfect reason to kinda guide him through interactions, check in on things (with him being aware he's being checked on), and do little learning moments on the way there.
@wigglytuffitout I have an account on Instagram that's sort of moral support (it's the only reason I'm there, I hate insta with a passion) for Miss13. It works well because she knows I'm there in case people are dicks (which has happened, children can be so nasty).
I might direct him more to making an account with his dad actually. They're into 40k and have been talking about making vids together.
@wigglytuffitout yeah see that's my biggest concern, that diving into a pool of grownups he'll be hassled for obviously being a kid.
Though he's pretty much a loner, probably just wants to post pics and not interact, there's always the chance he'll be interacted *with* (unless locked down).
13 is kind of a rule in our house (because of the legal restrictions) anyway. It's only because he is not an idiot on the Internet (like kids can be) that I considered it.