Connecting With Your Teen Through Facebook

Being a parent of a teen or tween can be tough, I know, but fortunately in this technologically driven age there are so many ways you can connect with them. Just this morning on the radio I heard that technology and computers is actually a great tool for parents to connect with their teens and I couldn't agree more. Whether it is texting them to find out where they are or connecting with them online through social networking sites such as Facebook, there are so many positives to using technology to connect with your teen or tween.

Maybe you feel like you are a little behind in the times when it comes to these new ways of connecting, but the good news is they aren't hard to learn. In case you are completely out of the loop and do not have a clue what Facebook is, I'll start with the basics and walk you through.

Facebook is a social networking site, or in less techy terms, it's a place online to connect with others by displaying info about your self including pictures, favorites, hobbies, etc and then befriending others who will communicate with you via your profile by writing you notes, sending you messages and so on. You can connect and share through pictures, messages and even videos.

Facebook is very user friendly and has been used by everyone from teens to professionals. You are sure to know someone on Facebook, so after you set up a profile it is almost certain you will make friends immediately and maybe even find old classmates to connect with as well.

However, more than anything, if you're a parent it is a great way to connect with your teen, because let's face it, teens and tweens of today, communicate through technology more than they do through opening their own mouths, and they have a whole other social world online unlike any other previous generation.

And though I am encouraging you to venture into this "world" of theirs I also encourage you to do so with caution. Your child most likely will react in one of two ways, they will happily befriend you online or they will wish you'd never found out about Facebook.

So, be careful as you begin this venture because you want this to be a positive experience for the both of you. First you want to be honest with them, ask them about Facebook, even ask them to help you set up your profile. Let them know that you want to learn about it and need their help.

Do find other people to connect with, you don't want your teen to think that you are only on there to snoop on them. Be aware too that they have control over their privacy on Facebook, it's privacy settings allow anyone to hide pictures, messages and more from those that they do not want to see it. So, you may not be seeing everything on your child's profile, but you can see what they allow you to and it may be a great way to find out things you haven't known about them before.

Don't try and befriend their friends on Facebook, unless they request that you add them. This will cause your child much embarrassment so just lay low. However, if your child or their friends want to befriend you, then by all means connect!

Facebook really can be a powerful tool for your relationship and can help you to see your child in a new and different light. So, don't let it scare you, use it today to enhance your relationship.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Alyssa Avant is a Christian Author and Speaker who helps moms connect with their daughters. A work at home mom, Alyssa is the founder of Beauty By Design Ministries, www.beautybydesignonline.com grab her Her FREE Guide, Seven Easy Tips Encouraging Your Daughter to Say "No" here

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