Kids need to get out and socialize! There was a study a few years ago that showed that people who use the internet (expecially to socialize) for a certain amount of time per week had a way higher depression rate than people who don't use the internet as much. Kids need to be active and socialize in reality for both their physical and emotional health. Then you add all the weirdos, pedophiles and perverts who lurk around the internet, and there is no way. The only way I would allow it was if my (hypothetical) kid was playing an online game where it was common place to chat. But even then I would be over his/her shoulder constantly. That's my opinion.