These days it seems as though more and more parents are joining Facebook. What used to be a social network for specifically for students is now open to anyone with an email address.
When Facebook first began, it was limited to a select group of students with certain email addresses, but as its popularity grew, the site felt the need to open its doors to more users.
Parents are now signing on to stay more in touch with their kids, particularly when they go off to college, but this recent phenomenon has caused mixed feelings in students.
Kate Blackstone, a freshman in social work said that while neither of her parent's have a Facebook account, she said her some of friend's parents have them. While she is friends with them, she said she finds it odd knowing they are looking at her profile.
"I think its fair to be open to everybody, but it's still kind of weird," said Blackstone.
As far as bosses and employers checking students on Facebook, she finds it a good idea to see what their employees are up to and would not have a problem with them looking at her profile.
David Damsky, a freshman in agriculture economics said his mother has a Facebook. He feels they have stayed in contact more now as he is away at college.
"Sometimes I don't care, but sometimes I don't like her seeing pictures of what I do in college," said Damsky.
Damsky said several of his friend's parents also have Facebook accounts, and he is friends with three or four of them. As far as it being an invasion of privacy, he agrees that Facebook is still a social network, so there isn't much control over who joins.
He doesn't feel as though employers checking Facebook is an invasion of privacy, but thinks the site should be limited to users under 30 years old.
Kyle Nixon, a sophomore in political science said both his parents have Facebook accounts.
His mother also uses Twitter, two blogs (one for a Public Relations class she teaches) and Podcasts in addition to a Facebook account.
"I think it's kind of weird. They 'friended' me a bunch of times and I said no a bunch of times and then they asked me about it," said Nixon.
Nixon feels that allowing parents to have Facebook accounts can sometimes be an invasion of privacy and thinks it should just be left to college students.
He also doesn't agree with bosses and employers checking Facebook.
"I'm not a big fan because I feel like your work life should be private from your social life," said Nixon.
Cheryl Kelley is a mother of an Auburn student who also has a Facebook account. She has had an account for three months and decided to get one in order to communicate with her high school and college friends. She said her daughter was unsure of her having an account at first, but she is more comfortable with it now.
"I didn't even friend her, she 'friended' me," said Kelley.
She said she has become friends with her daughter's friends, but only because they 'friended' her first. Her favorite part about Facebook is that she gets to look at pictures of her old friends.
Facebook isn't just for college students anymore. It's a site that is now open to parents and bosses alike. Be aware of what information is put online and whomever you decide to add as a friend is a personal choice.
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