How can I persuade my parents to let me have a Facebook account?

[Chantelle]

Well, it's not because my friends have it and sometimes they assume that but because I want to be in contact with them. I'm not allowed to call them that much because one time, I ran up the phone bill and it was so expensive. I can't text because I'm on pay as you go and to keep topping up is eventually expensive. They are too focused on the online dangers although I keep saying to them that they can monitor me and I can use the privacy settings. Now, they won't let me have it until I'm 16. I guess I could say I'm lucky because I know a girl and her mum won't let her have it until she's 23