Comments on: Following your kids on Facebook

By: Peggy

Peggy — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:14:06 +0000

As much as I like to torment my teenage children, I find that Facebook is a balancing act. We all know that our kids are putting information out there through blogs and wall posts for a very public audience. However, many teens see it as a personal journal. Just like I wouldn’t read my child’s journal, I think it is important to think twice about rifling through their Facebook profile–especially if they are older.

I think it starts with intense monitoring when they start using the site, talking about things as they go–you know, the whole teachable moment thing. To some extent its all about training. My older teen has shown himself worthy and I almost never check his site. I do, however, keep the dialouge open, asking things like “what picture do you have up” or “what song do you have on your profile” or even ” what do you think is your best blog–can I read it?” I am also still on his friends list and, if need be, can check every now and then.

Ultimately, we want to raise kids who know how to use the technology wisely. We can’t be naive, but I do think that, in some cases, we do need to give them their space.

Just a few thoughts

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 03:48:31 +0000

There’s so much crap out there for our kids to get into… including bad TV, bad music, bad internet and more. And it’s our job as parents to monitor what they’re doing. Sure, we have to at some point loosen up, because they’re gonna be out in the unfiltered world someday too. But while I still have any possibility of influencing them, I will. So yeah, I check on all kids of my kids’ internet activities, and it’s very interesting to be their friends FB friends.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:01:23 +0000

I think it is great that this mom is checking on her daughter’s online activities. I have never been to facebook, but I think if I had kids who were on it, I would at least want to know what it is like and what they were doing, who they were communicating with, and the like. I think a lot of parents are too worried about if their children like them/are happy with them instead of being worried about helping their kids grow into responsible adults who can be productive citizens.

By: priscilla

priscilla — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 01:24:37 +0000

i want to be in the facebook so i can chose some friends to be in it.

By: Steph Sauder

Steph Sauder — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 20:15:42 +0000

My biggest challenge with FaceBook or MySpace will be learning all the acronymns and shortcuts!

By: jim forde

jim forde — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 01:06:07 +0000

You’re gonna’ snoop like the rest of us!

Jim Forde

By: Scott McLeod

Scott McLeod — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 22:55:14 +0000

I read this article too. Thought it was hysterical!

By: Tim Wilson

Tim Wilson — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 03:50:25 +0000

Jude, my parental instinct is to do as you suggest, but I’m a few years away from having to worry about it. I’m not entirely sure what I’ll do when the time comes.

By: Jude

Jude — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 03:07:57 +0000

I avoided reading my daughter’s journals which she left lying around for years; I refrain from reading my son’s writing if I find it in the house, because I know he wouldn’t want me to read it. But I subscribe to every blog of my under-age kids and snoop away with only a modicum of guilt. When you’re putting yourself out there for an audience of millions, it’s a parent’s duty to be protective.

By: Ed Kohler

Ed Kohler — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 22:53:18 +0000

I’d sent happy birthday wishes to younger friends and contacts who I noticed were celebrating a birthday on MySpace or Facebook, but it seemed like it may have caught them off guard. Perhaps a slight invasion on their space, or a wakeup call that adults are moving in.