At a recent symposium on education reform, Zuckerberg argued that Facebook could, and should, play an important role, CNN reports. Doing… what exactly? Facebook doesn’t know! “”Because of the restrictions we haven’t even begun this learning process,” Zuckerberg said. “If they’re lifted then we’d start to learn what works.” Pretty convincing stuff.
The restriction he’s talking about is the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which bars kids under 13 from the site. Zuckerberg wants this changed.
I can’t fathom any possible way Facebook would improve education. Sharing notes? Organising study sessions? Can any of these things not be accomplished with email or texting? I can attest that during the crossover period during which I was both in class and on Facebook, the latter did nothing but impede the former. I can’t imagine a being with the self-control of a tween would be any better.
Zuckerberg clearly cares about education – he did pledge $US100 million to Newark’s public schools. But I have a feeling this might have as much to do with sticking little tykes (and their valuable eyeballs) into the marketing meat grinder. [CNN]
BCK
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 1:03 PMOr unless you live in australia.
huu
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 1:38 PMwell they already have paedophile, criminals, gangster, terrorist on Facebook, all missing now is the kids! one big happy facebook family!
Steve
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 4:29 PMStart em young.
Drunkin Punkin
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 6:23 PMI’m not gonna go into the <13 yr old stuff but having the old Book of Faces support a document system with version control would be great for me (currently studing Comp Sci). I realise that Google Docs does this already but I like to have everything in the one place, it's neater.
adrian
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 7:14 PMNOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Adrian
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 10:00 PMIf he is serious he sould invest his money in online education resources; build something new not look at expanding his current model.
There is a reason under 13s cannot sign up to these services and his reason is very thin indeed.
Building a new service that meets government requirements for the protection of minors that can deliver real educational content would show he is credible and alow him to build a reputation in a specialty area.
Franz
Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 10:59 AMDo they still have BOOKS in elementary school or?
Anyway, Zuckerberg’s getting above himself, he’s forgotten what he is.
He needs to be beaten down into the ground with a national poll on this matter.
Mark
Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 11:42 AMIn the world of Facebook we are not the consumer, we are the product. Think of how valuable an impressionable 10 year old is to advertisers. Surprised it’s taken this long for him to push for low age limits.
Steve
Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 12:22 PMWhat a way to get your article across, with a creepy looking image of Mark Zuckerberg.
Penmonicus
Monday, May 23, 2011 at 11:35 AMSurely kids already sign up and just lie about their age?