I've been getting into tons of conversations about my friends' parents being on Facebook. It's about time I provide some tips to parents before they are virtually disowned by their children.
Rule #1: Facebook is not real life!
While us young(ish) people know this, parents' first reaction often times is to make Facebook the portal to have the daily communication with their children they so badly desire. But it's not real life! Writing on a wall or commenting on a photo is not going to all of a sudden make your son or daughter want to have an hour long conversation about that thing.
Rule #2: Don't like everything!
To that end, don't get confused to believe that it's your parental duty to "Like" every single thing your son or daughter posts on Facebook. It's not a numbers game. And even if it was, yours doesn't count because you're a completely biased parent.
Rule #3: No, I'm not going to post all those photos.
Parents must refrain from asking their children why they chose to post those photos of their friends or that trip with their boyfriend or girlfriend, but not the photos with mom or dad. Hello...Facebook is not a portal to parent-child relationship management!
Rule #4: Parents should never poke.
Don't poke anyone that is also a friend of your child. Period.
Rule #5: No, you're not invited.
Just because you see an event posted on my wall, does not mean that you're invited. No offense, but if you come, I'll be obligated to make sure you have fun and also that you don't have too much fun. Just not cool.
That's all for now, but if (or when) my mom joins Facebook, I'm sure I'll have about 30 others to add.
It is really scary to think of the length that people will ‘groom’ young teenagers on Facebook. Thank you for these tips with this awesome artile.
Posted by: Shock Mount Aluminum Case | August 31, 2011 at 06:08 AM