Digital Smarts - Age Restrictions Ignored

More than 75% of children in the United Kingdom under 13 are using social networks despite not meeting age limits, according to a recent BBC survey. The study was released to mark Safer Internet Day. Thirteen is the minimum age for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, Reddit and several other sites, while WhatsApp sets the bar at 16 and Vine at 17. Despite these terms, most of the sites rely on users to put in their date of birth when setting up an account, allowing children to simply change the year in order to register. Facebook deletes any accounts belonging to under-13s when flagged, while Instagram also encourages people to report underage accounts or “anything that may make them feel uncomfortable” but in most instances these cases have to first be reported in order for anything to be done.