Keep preteens offline

Within the past year, Facebook has welcomed over 7.5 million underage users. Most of these users are preteens.

Facebook is not a healthy way for preteens to spend time; outdoors is always the better option. Too many preteens are living online, rather than offline, these days.

I find it highly irritating to see 12-year-old children spend free time commenting on photos and chatting online. Some may say that Facebook offers preteens a social life, but social lives are meant to be created offline, rather than online.

Tomas W. Volente also sought to learn more about preteens and online versus offline social life. This led to his study in July 2012. The study found that online preteen social groups affect how a preteen acts daily.

According to Volente’s study, the preteens became lazy and were irritated when asked to help around the home. Grades and study time decreased as the amount of Facebook browsing increased. Outside social life was no longer as interesting for the preteen.

I have a request for the parents of a preteen: Forbid your child to create a Facebook account. Let them live offline, rather than online.

Liza Kozhokaru

Spokane