Michelle Obama: No Facebook For My Girls

(AP/Huffington Post) -- Michelle Obama says her daughters aren't on Facebook, and that's the way she likes it.

The first lady says her girls, Sasha, 9, and Malia, 12, have certain restrictions that other children don't have because of Secret Service security issues. But she also said during an interview on NBC's "Today Show" on Wednesday that she's "not a big fan of young kids having Facebook."

Even if the girls weren't living in the White House, Mrs. Obama says Facebook is "not something they need." Maybe when they get older, she added.

"It depends on when we leave and how old they are," Mrs. Obama replied to a question asking whether the girls would join the social netorking site after the Obamas left the White House (NOTE: Facebook's rules do not permit users under 13 years of age to use the social networking site).

See Mrs. Obama speak about Facebook at the 13:40 mark in the video below.

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Comments

[bertinia]

08:36 AM on 02/15/2011

Personally, I do not agree with children being on Facebook, My Space or any other social network page. I have friends who have let their children have a FB page and they monitor their page. What is the appropriate age? I really don't know; however in my opinion, "tweens" and under definitely not!

[usamade]

11:20 PM on 02/13/2011

It was My Space when my son was young and yes I forbid him to join. You have to watch your kids on line.

[Alicia Flowers]

09:31 PM on 02/11/2011

This one was a no brainer. Thanks Michelle for bringing attention to it. Parents be responsible, young children DO NOT NEED to be on Facebook.

[barry444]

07:26 PM on 02/25/2011

What else do they "not need"?

[wanderingArtist3211]

10:57 AM on 02/11/2011

Common sense. Something everyone should have, but not always show. Thank you for the PSA.

[Tanker10a]

10:49 AM on 02/11/2011

What a classy lady!

[SaveWillowpark]

01:03 AM on 02/11/2011

My children will never have Facebook.

[veracruise]

11:52 PM on 02/10/2011

Does she wear her false eyelashes 24/7? What does Obama think about them?

[iCode v2]

10:06 AM on 02/11/2011

And the award for most irrelevant post goes to..

[iQuit]

09:29 PM on 02/10/2011

It's also political common sense to keep your preteen kids off Facebook. Imagine the field day Fox news would have with anything they post.

[iQuit]

09:34 PM on 02/10/2011

As much as I loathe Palin, even I couldn't condone blasting her based on what her 15 yr old wrote on Facebook. 15 yr olds are SUPPOSED to say ridiculous things. Facebook is nothing but a liability in every sense of the word; politically it's exponentially more dangerous.

[rowdiman]

09:00 PM on 02/10/2011

Another glaring example of her parenting versus the grizzly lady. Remember the kind, christian-like conversation her kids put out on facebook?

[kevinmsieg]

08:00 PM on 02/10/2011

Smart move Mrs. Obama. All parents need to keep their kids off of Facebook.

[chrisgetman]

04:36 PM on 02/10/2011

Instead of ignoring social why not teach kids to be responsible digital citizens? There is an age appropriate, safe and secure social networking site for kids, check out WhatsWhat.Me and its Parent Resource Center.

There are organizations out there doing great work keeping kids safe on the internet. The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) cites that 99% of children ages 8-17 access the internet and spending 25% of their time social networking. The answer isn't keeping kids off the internet, because they are going to be on social networks, regardless if their parents know or not. Let's teach kids how to be safe on the internet and instead of hiding them from it.

WhatsWhat.me (Beta) is a safe, secure, “kids-only” social network for “tweens” ages 7-13 – launches today using patent-pending facial recognition technology, moderation and kid-friendly features to teach kids positive online behavior, Internet safety and related life skills. Compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), WhatsWhat.me (Beta) provides an age-appropriate, “no-bullying allowed” community that requires parental permission to join. www.WhatsWhat.me (Beta) members can create profiles, interact with friends, join groups, play games, earn points and win prizes, in a fun kids’ social network that focuses on building skills while fostering appropriate online behavior. For parents, WhatsWhat.me (Beta) offers its online Parent Resource Center providing expert advice, news, Internet safety tips and information on cybersafety for children.

[PatricktPDX]

02:46 PM on 02/10/2011

Good for her! Her kids will excel in life, substantially without online social networking!! They will have realtime social skills appropriate for their age progression, learn more about solid boundries, and be individuals as apposed to sheeple!

[iCode v2]

03:40 PM on 02/10/2011

How ridiculous.
Using social network sites does not mean you won't excel in in life, lack social skills, don't progress properly and won't learn about solid boundaries, nor will it make anyone any more or less of an individual.

[barry444]

07:28 PM on 02/25/2011

Ignoring the rise of social networks to become a citizen who can "excel" is like ignoring the rise of calculators to celebrate your ability to do long division.

It's like tying one hand behind your back while everyone else just watches you get left in the dust.

[steelej]

02:29 PM on 02/10/2011

Well "she who shall not be named" will have to skip around the country's schools opening facebook accounts for all the fat little twinkie-eaters now.

[roch20]

01:31 PM on 02/10/2011

Best FLOTUS ever! Gush, I luuuve this Lady!

[thepoliticalcat]

06:02 PM on 02/10/2011

It's hard not to gush over our FLOTUS. What a woman!