With the younger generation relying heavily on social networking sites to communicate, parents today are also embracing these new-age tools to catch up with their kids. DNA finds out how comfortable children are with the idea of seeing their parents online.
Parents are walking the extra mile to bond with their kids
I would be glad to see my parents on Facebook (FB). In today’s world, FB is like an open book on everyone’s activities and behaviours. It can become a mode of communication if the child is staying away from home for education. Besides, it also helps parents to know what their child is up to.
Most children would think that their privacy would be disturbed, but I think by joining FB, parents are walking the extra mile to connect with their child and make friends with them. It also shows that today’s parents are not orthodox and are willing to try the new-age tools to communicate with their children.
—Amit Bhalerao, second-year student, mechanical engineering
Facebook is a mode of communication for my family
I have nothing to hide from my parents and I would be more than happy if they join FB. Most of my relatives live in different parts of India and abroad and they all are on FB as it helps to keep in touch. For my family and me, FB is more like a mode of communication.
I keep forcing my parents to join FB so that they can connect with our relatives. However, there could be some kids who might get shocked to see their parents online but that is only if they have something to hide. FB should not be taken as something private or secretive.
Half the people you know are on FB, then why not parents? It is a social networking site and every one should get a chance to socialise. This is the new age socialising tool and even parents should make the most of it.
—Nisha Advani, student, IT engineering
It would be a pleasant surprise to see my parents online
For most people, FB is nothing more than an entertainment tool. When they do not have something to do, they log on to FB and while away their time. I also have an account on FB as it helps me to keep in touch with my cousins who stay in different parts of the country.
None of my relatives other than my cousins is on any social networking site. But it would be a pleasant surprise to see my parents on FB someday. The problem with teenagers is they log on to such sites even if they are below the eligible age of 16.
They try to explore everything available on the Internet, which is why they might not want to see their parents on such sites.
—Amit Mody, student, Shrimati Kashibai Navale College
Parents don’t join Facebook only to monitor kids
The main purpose of Facebook is to find old friends with whom we lose touch after school. So, if the younger generation can log on to FB and find old friends, then why not parents? Even they might feel like getting in touch with some of their old friends. Besides, if our parents can have an email account, then why can’t they open an account on a social networking site?
Some children might not like the idea of their parents following them on FB, but when it comes to them, they also try to keep a tab on what their younger siblings are up to on such social networking sites.
It’s true that many parents register on such sites to monitor their children’s activities, but that is not the case always. My father is on FB and I am quite okay with the idea. Even parents might also want to expand their network and trace old friends.
—Anuja Gurjar, architecture student
Most kids don’t want their parents to know of their online activities
I have already had this experience. One day I logged on to FB and saw my father on one of my friends’ friend list. This was quiet shocking as my father did not send me a friend request but was in touch with my friend.
Later, I sent him a request and added him as a friend on my list. FB is a social networking platform for all, where you can touch base with your old friends, especially with the ones you cannot meet everyday. However, teenagers even keep in touch with friends they meet everyday.
This is a platform where they can assume a different personality, something they do not follow in real life and hence, they do not want their parents to know about it. This is one of the reasons why most of them get shocked to see their parents on FB.
—Nishigandha Date, advertising student
My father would be my first friend online
I am not on Facebook, because I am below the age of 16. Once I turn 16, I don’t think my parents would mind. There are chances of people misusing the social networking sites, which is why my mother does not want me to be there.
A lot of my classmates and even my juniors are on FB. But they have not told their parents about this, so they would definitely be scared to see their parents on the same site. I think my father is already on FB and it’s a good thing for me. When I join FB, my father will be the first person to be on my friend list.
As far as I know, FB is a platform to get in touch with friends. It also has video chatting facility. This could lead students into wasting a lot of time, especially if they are in school. May be that’s why my parents have not allowed me to join the site.
—Vinay Vernakar, SSC student
Comments