Monday, January 25, 2010

Facebook Question, Should I comment on my child's page?

I am one of those computer freaks, addicts, fans that was on Facebook way before my children which has created some interesting situations.  I am also asked by other parents  how to navigate this world.  My first rule is that until they are 16 they have to be my unrestricted friend on Facebook.  If you are not on Facebook and your child is, and they are under the age of 16, I would highly encourage you to create a Facebook account or find a trusted adult family member or friend to monitor your child's Facebook activity.  So my son is on Facebook.  I have had to adjust to his overly zealous initial postings, reign him in when he has pushed boundaries, and help him understand the social media world.

My hope for my son is that his online persona will accurately represent who he is. He tends to forget that even though the "live feed" page moves on and information disappears from sight, that information lives on FOREVER in wall posts and profile information.   I try very hard not to comment on his status and activity.  Sometimes I have to sign out of Facebook to resist.  I don't comment on his status more than a couple of times a month, and I try very hard to make it innocuous.  I don't, for instance, remind him to clean his room or do his homework via Facebook. (even when he becomes a fan of ""No, they can't come over, this house is a mess!" "Mom, They Dont Care..."  )  I don't ask him about the friends who post on his wall and I say a private thank-you that nothing too out of line has shown up on his wall.  I don't want to abuse the fact that he has to be my friend! I also don't tell him on Facebook how much I love and adore him, I save that embarrasment for the carpool line!

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