Thing 4-Online Communities- My 3 cents!

I have to agree with Linda's post and my school's policy about Facebook pages. Altho our school does not have a policy written in stone- we are STRONGLY DISCOURAGED from friending any student-not like that is something I would chose do anyways. Here's where it gets sticky tho. I AM friends with my daughter on Facebook. She has become friends with kids who have graduated in the district where I teach and I actually did have some of them or THEY are friends with kids I had as students. Not that any of them have "friended" me-nor again-would I of them, but page content is available to either of us once we share friends. I really don't have any content that would bother me who really was looking, but I have to say- I have been shocked at some of the stuff I have seen on my news feed-mostly language and some very suggestive photography. I know some of my friends with children tell me that is why they DO NOT have a Facebook page...guess it is a double-edge sword.

I too am wondering (and my girls know this by heart-"We know Mom-the Facebook lecture!") if people realize how many employers DO use and check your Facebook page. My oldest niece was taken aback when her internship boss called her in one day and "suggested" she remove a photo of herself drinking while she was studying abroad in England (she was not 21 at the time but in England she WAS old enough to drink). She felt like he had been "spying" on her and invaded her privacy-he felt like he was giving her the heads-up advice of a caring employer-you chose. But the point is-they do and can look. The sad thing is-some of the stuff  I've seen posted by some kids?!?!? They can only hope and pray no one they apply for a job with cares or looks! 

And-you really have to be careful of who you friend. I know for alot of people it is a game of numbers. My children tease me about my "lowly number" of friends, but I only use my page as a social one-would be different story if it was for a business or different purpose.  I follow a rule I once read a long time ago-if they aren't someone you would invite into you living room, then they aren't someone you should friend on Facebook. Have to say, it's always worked out well for me... 

To me it's no different than any online site you use- you just need to be responsible about what you chose to say, post and share.