My Parents Are on Facebook

It all started with a notification in the top left corner. "New Friend Request", I opened it up and saw it was my mother. At this moment I felt in charge, that I had the power to accept or deny this friend request. "Why add my mother on Facebook?" Is exactly what I thought to myself. I did not live with my mother and rarely talked to her on the phone, but do I want her stalking my statuses? I do not think so.

Every teenager has that moment where they feel in control of their life. Where they feel they have all the power. Accept that request or deny it. Will you get grounded if you don't or does it not matter? "Facebook" is a place to socialize with friends and yes, family too. It is a place where you can be yourself, or have to hide everything from the people you love. For instance, when you leave for college, will you want your mother or father seeing what you are doing? How about that awesome Uncle and Aunt you love, the ones who think you are innocent. A lot of things happen at college and I have experience with that. My friends have always worried about what photo they would be tagged in, or who they would have to remember to block from their wall. Sometimes your parents will get uptight if they do not see a wall post from you every day. It puts a lot of pressure on you. Your parent's outlook on you could change, just from a single picture. Since you aren't around much and are at college, what else will they have to go off of? They will tell you that you have changed or that you aren't the same. Maybe they won't send that extra $50 dollars a week anymore. So will you accept or deny that request?

Is it good to be friends with your parents and family on Facebook? I'm sure someone has to make that decision every day. Yet, let's ask ourselves; is it healthy to have your parents on Facebook? Where they can watch what you are doing and see your every move. If you are older, maybe it is okay. If you're a teenager, it is a lot more complicated. Every teenager has an identity they don't want their parents knowing about. Sometimes they want to feel fully in control and be their own person, but at the same time want to be who their parents want. Maybe this is why Facebook has all those mastermind settings. Hide this, show that. Then that way, you can be who they want you to be and also have a hidden life through pictures and posts.

Is it good to live like that though? Maybe you should save yourself the trouble and not add your parents if you have things to hide. Then again why make them suspicious. I know I added my whole family on Facebook, with nothing to hide since I want to be open with them. So, maybe that's a good thing. You be the judge.