11:21 That is precisely my point. He doesn't need a Twitter account to explore Twitter. OP's subject line is her son is begging for a Twtter account. I'm not suggesting that OP not allow her son near Twitter, I'm advising OP to go to the account(s) he wants to follow but not to open an account for him. If OP feels she must open an account for him. she should not tell him the password. That way, he can't access when she's not around and also there is no risk that he share the password with someone. Even middle schoolers often do not grasp that sharing their password is risky.

Twitter is more than a consolidated news feed. It's also got search functionality.

Anonymous wrote:18:21 But why does he need a Twitter account? All he has to do is go to the site. No parent can supervise their child each and every second. A newspaper was a static, fixed document. The Internet is a window onto billions of pieces of information. No comparison.

It's a consolidated news feed. Like google reader. But that's near death. Why? Because of news feeds on Facebook and Twitter.

Anonymous wrote:It's not about anyone adding him, it's about what he can do.

He does NOT need a Twitter account to read his favorite Twitter accounts. I don't think some of you know how Twitter works.

He is eight. Too young for social media, period.

I've used Twitter for years. Nobody "needs" Twitter but it can be a useful tool. My six year old doesn't "need" to use a sharp knife to chop veggies, but he's interested, so I teach him how to use one under direct supervision. I don't see how it can hurt to let him use Twitter under supervision and with specified limits. Use it as media only. It doesn't have to have to social aspect unless you want it to.

Twitter states that you must be 13 to create an account. Explain that to your son. Surely he can understand that lying is wrong.

It's not about anyone adding him, it's about what he can do.

He does NOT need a Twitter account to read his favorite Twitter accounts. I don't think some of you know how Twitter works.

He is eight. Too young for social media, period.

You can make his account private and then no one can add him without first accepting it or see his page. I think it's 100% fine. It's better then facebook.

One more thought: I never appreciated it when one child started doing something that seemed age inappropriate, ahead of their years. It's a contagion. I'm thinking that other parents might not appreciate that a classmate had a Twitter account at age 8.

A newspaper is. They're still there!

18:21 But why does he need a Twitter account? All he has to do is go to the site. No parent can supervise their child each and every second. A newspaper was a static, fixed document. The Internet is a window onto billions of pieces of information. No comparison.

Anonymous wrote:No! You should also ask the school if they offer social media workshops for parents.

FYI: He does not need a Twitter account to read the Club Penguin feed. He just goes to Twitter.com/clubpenguin.

This is not about folks following him. Twitter opens to the entire universe of tweets, many of which link to adult site. For instance, he could follow the hashtag #porn, #nakedladies. Really, Twitter's a great newsfeed for people who are mature enough to handle the choices.

Good luck, OP!

Not of mom is standing right there. I used to read the newspaper at that age with my dad. He'd censor some articles I couldn't read, like a story about rape or something.

Anonymous wrote:He wants to go on as a fan of Club Penguin, the Disney computer game. I said no, of course, but is this something 2nd graders do?? Don't know how he learned about twitter...I know nothing about it myself.
Do young kids do twitter?? He says friends are doing it.

You really have no idea how he learned about Twitter? Does he have ears? Some of my kindergarten students claim to be on Facebook (obviously they're not, but they know it exists). Young kids are very aware of social media, if only by name.

No! You should also ask the school if they offer social media workshops for parents.

FYI: He does not need a Twitter account to read the Club Penguin feed. He just goes to Twitter.com/clubpenguin.

This is not about folks following him. Twitter opens to the entire universe of tweets, many of which link to adult site. For instance, he could follow the hashtag #porn, #nakedladies. Really, Twitter's a great newsfeed for people who are mature enough to handle the choices.

Good luck, OP!