Is Integrity Dead?

I know I'm going to offend all over the place by blogging about this, but it's really bugging me, so I just have to say it....

My twelve-year-old has been DYING to have a facebook account.  At first, I was more than hesitant just because of the whole social nature of it, but as she has grown a bit more in maturity, I have considered it.  Most of her cousins, aunts, uncles and even grandparents have accounts now, so I even thought it would be good for her.

So, I tried to sign her up.  On the registration page at the time, it said how facebook is for "everybody" and "anyone" can have an account with them.  We put in all of her information and were denied.  This cracked me up!  Facebook is for "everybody"...but you DJ!

It seems that she's not of the required age yet.  I, to be honest, am happy to not have to be the bad guy in this one.

From what I've heard, a person must be thirteen to have an account.  That will happen in September for her.  In the meantime, the question has come up as I knew it would, "Then why do all of my friends who are younger than me have facebook accounts?"

This sparked a great conversation in regard to integrity.  How do I tell my daughter that all of her friends and cousins are liars?  Okay, so this might be going to an extreme, but honestly, isn't that what it is?  Dishonesty?  In order to get past the registration page, one would have to lie about his/her age in order to get an account.  Most of those that I've questioned about this have admitted it.

I get the feeling that the rest of the world really doesn't give much of a rip about honesty any  more.  I mean, the leaders of countries and churches lie frequently, so why should Mr. or Ms. U.S. Citizen care either? 

What are parents teaching their children when they allow them to lie in order to have something as minor as a facebook page?  Is this just setting them up for future problems?  "But Maaahhhm, you let me do that before, why can't I do it now?"  When it's something big? 

I'm convinced that the reason the Hess family had to defend ourselves so strongly with the State of Oregon Department of Taxation in regard to the number of children we have is because someone along the line decided that integrity didn't matter.  This now affects us who are trying to be good people.

So, there you have it, me, on my soapbox.  I know there are so many ways one can be dishonest.  It's become a really gray area.  A friend and I were talking about downloading music for free, etc.  When everyone else does it, it becomes accepted and a way of life.  I really want to teach my children to walk uprightly.  To be above reproach.  Is it possible in this world we live in?

I tell you, I'm sure going to do my darnedest.  I hope that my children will be people that will always be able to be trusted, and I know that needs to start here and now--at home.