Introduction
Facebook is the most popular social network in the world. Facebook
allows users to connect with old and new friends through pictures
and status updates. The current minimum age for Facebook users is
13. Today our debaters will discuss whether children younger than
the age of 13 should be allowed to use Facebook.
Constructive
Debater 1 Henry
Children younger than 13 years old should be allowed to use Facebook.
Facebook is a great way to connect with friends and family members
all over the world. Many children ages nine to 12 already have their
own cell phones. Many are also already connecting with their friends
through online and mobile chats. Therefore, it does not make sense
to forbid them from using Facebook. However, parents should check
to make sure that kids are using Facebook safely.
Debater 2 Ashley
Children younger than 13 years old should not be allowed to use
Facebook. Facebook can be an unsafe service for young users to use.
First, many young users do not know how to safely use social networks.
They may post their locations, private information, or photos on
their Facebook pages. They may also accept strangers as their friends.
Kids should wait until they are 13 to use Facebook. They should
also learn how to use it safely.
Rebuttal
Debater 1 Henry
Kids younger than 13 can use Facebook, but they should learn how
to use it safely first. Kids from nine to 12 years old are old enough
to learn safety tips for using Facebook. It is better for them to
learn these Internet safety tips at a young age. Parents teach their
toddlers to avoid strangers on the street. Parents should now teach
their kids to avoid strangers online as well.
Debater 2 Ashley
Kids are getting too hooked on technology at such a young age these
days. Just because younger kids have cell phones and use online
and mobile chats does not mean that they should also use Facebook.
Not all parents will be able to check whether their kids are using
Facebook safely. Therefore, it is better for parents to forbid Facebook
until kids are old enough to use it safely on their own.
Judge’s
Comments
The winner of today’s debate is Ashley. Henry committed the debate
fallacy called bad analogy. Debaters commit this fallacy when they
put different things in the same category even though they are not
the same. For example, Henry said that kids are able to use cell
phones and online and mobile chats, and therefore should also be
able to use Facebook. Having a cell phone and chatting are not the
same as using Facebook.