Facebook May Change Rules to Allow Children Under 13

For the first time, Facebook is considering allowing children under 13 to join the social networking site, according to a story in The Wall Street Journal. But a study last year by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found Facebook is already full of children younger than 13. According to the report, 46 percent of 12-year-olds are already using Facebook despite the prohibition, either with their parents’ permission or by lying about their age. The Wall Street Journal reports Facebook is researching policies and new technologies that will keep young children safe while using the page. Possibilities include giving parents control over their child’s account by linking the parent and child accounts together.

Amid Debate, Abercrombie Reconsiders Selling Pushup Bras to 7-Year-Olds

Abercrombie and Fitch, feeling the pressure after a barrage of complaints and criticisms, has rethought its effort to market push-up bikini tops to pre-pubescent girls.  The swimsuit in question was sold through Abercrombie Kids (referred to as “prep school for Abercrombie and Fitch” on their Facebook page), a brand that markets to kids aged 7 to 14. A week after blog Sociological Images -- written by sociology professor Lisa Wade -- highlighted what it called the “sexualization of young girls,” Abercrombie Kids posted this statement on its Facebook page:

“We've re-categorized the Ashley swimsuit as padded,” the statement said.  “We agree with those who say it is best ‘suited’ for girls age 12 and older.”

The bikini in question is no longer for sale on the Abercrombie Kids’ website. A surprisingly heated debate arose within the comments section of the Facebook post as consumers of pre-pubescent bikinis debated the semantic differences of the store’s bikini descriptions. In response to another commenter, a Facebook user identifying herself as Renee Johnson wrote, “I never said it was a push-up.