Dealing with a ‘friend' request from parents

Dubai Receiving a ‘friend request' on Facebook from your mum or dad is never an easy situation. Should you accept? Put them on a limited profile? Or just ignore it?

According to statistics released by US-based market researchers Lab42, 92 per cent of parents are friends with their children on Facebook but around a third of those can only see their child's ‘limited profile'.

However, Sharjah-based communications professor, Dr Don Love, said parents connecting with children on Facebook is positive, even though it can lead to some awkward moments.

Dr Love, who is Facebook friends with his US-based 23-year-old son, said his wife regularly posts on his wall. His advice is simply to be careful.

"If a picture or post is open to public, your parent would want to watch it too," he said. "If others can see it I don't think a parent should be restricted from doing so. But you should always keep that in mind. It is a moment to pause before you hit ‘Post'."

To avoid embarrassing situations, switched.com, an online digital news provider, suggests children be careful about the topics they discuss, monitor the quiz results posted and ask friends to keep it parent friendly.