DISQUS

Diana Freedman · 10 months ago

This is what privacy settings and Facebook limited profile groups are for. :-) What you share with friends can be very different with what you share with parents. So as long as you keep that distinction, I don't think it's a bad thing.

Besides, you're right, it does help you keep in touch when you're so far away from home, and it helps your parents with empty nest syndrome; connecting online helps you feel closer in a way.

Jim King · 10 months ago

The issue is a much bigger problem than privacy. What is happening is that maturation of adolescents is happening later than ever before in history. Social media and mobile communications mean that adolescents are never truly on their own, never forced to make their own decisions and handle the consequences of those decisions. They have nothing pushing them to mature so you see many college graduates entering the work force with the habits of a 16 year old.

Dan Thornton · 10 months ago

To be fair, I'm already over the 30 year mark, but I'm enjoying the fact I can connect with my parents via social networks and Instant Messenger, particularly to keep them updated about my young son.

It all comes down to the relationship parents have with their children - mine were always aware of some of my foolishness, but were incredibly supportive and understanding of it, so I never worried about keeping too many secrets from them anyway!

gerardmclean · 10 months ago

College students will just find a new community and maintain a Facebook "facia" for the benefit of their parents. They need and want their own space, away from their parents' prying eyes.

Any parent who doesn't know that their kid has two Facebook profiles is kidding themselves. One for the family and one for their friends. Parents also need to learn to let go earlier.

PartyWeDo · 10 months ago

As 55-year-old parents of 5 children (20's and 30's), most with spouses and some with their own children, we view the social web as Family Nirvana. We have some on the east coast, west coast and the middle US and we find that the web keeps us connected. We have family parties on the internet and last month we shared over 800 comments, 52 images and 36 videos in 12 days as we all played together on our computers. The web provides connection for us, just as if we were all in the living room again. These are all independent adults (5 in college), that don't mind being a part of a family. They can have all the hidden Facebook accounts that they want. We are just grateful to have the continuing connection of these social systems.

gerardmclean · 10 months ago

@Bruce Sounds like you and your family have the healthy balance that escapes most helicopter parent-driven families. As a parent of a 23 and 18 year old, it amazes me how many of my peers are shocked at the level of trust I have with my children as if it were unnatural to let go. (not naive, however) We connect in other ways using social media, but not through Facebook. Mine is for business; theirs is for their social life.

fenway tech · 6 months ago

i thins its not bad. parents still can control their child even not for every aspect

DentalPlans · 2 months ago

I too in the past connected to my children while in college. Now my son works on big ships as a Marine Biologist and sometimes the internet is the only way we connect. My son helped me to help students get affordable health insurance and dental through the internet. I love the internet, especially when I can help someone.