Talk to Your Parents About Social Networking

Remember the birds and the bees talk your parents had with you? They did it because it was necessary and they love you. Now, you must talk to them about social networking for the same reason. Social networking is changing the face of the world and without it your parents will not maintain the same social status or circles which they have had in the past. Social networking will help them to transition to living in a more efficient, more eco-friendly universe. Yes, I played the "green" eco card. Deal with it.

Help them to get started. Try to not explain the process to them without first getting them online and helping them to navigate through some of the most popular social networking websites. Social networking is a situation where they must see themselves using it first. Help them find their friends and post a few messages, encourage them to post a status update or two, and generally assist them in remembering how everything works whenever they log back on. Do not allow them to get bogged down in the mentality that, "Oh, it's too complicated for me to do."

Next, help them to establish connections. You can do this by verbally telling them about events and status updates which mutual friends have posted, linking article posts and sending these to their email or having them read it in person, and showing them how simple it all is. Do not use language like "exceptions" or "if you want to do this, you can…" That is unnecessary and develops the wrong idea about social networking. This is meant to make their life easier and simpler, not more complicated. Only give them basic guidelines. They will teach themselves the rest.

Interact with them online. Parents love an excuse to spend time with their kids and this is a great way to do it. Comment on their posts, ask them about posts you sent them, and call them up to tell them you are sending an article or two their way. This engages them with someone they particularly like: their kids. This is a surefire way to keep them interested. Just try to remember to stop complaining about your stupid parents while you're online. They can see you now.

Social networking is a tool to make your life better, simpler and faster. Your parents need to be in on the game. You may not owe them your whole life, but you do owe them a simplified education in social networking.