Being Friends with Parents on Facebook
Whether it's to stay connected or because they want to keep a close eye on our activities, parents often end up befriending us on Facebook, sometimes maybe even against our will. Whatever the case may be, if you have mom and/or dad on the friend list you're probably familiar with the following instances. And you're not alone.
Being Fraped is a Disaster
Do you ever unmindfully leave your Facebook logged in only to fall prey to frapes by friends, colleagues or cousins? It happens to me every other week and I know how hard it is explaining to my parents why I've checked into a hotel in a remote area in Thailand or why/how on earth I just got engaged or posted some un-printable stuff that will basically "bring shame to my family". After the initial shock wears off, your parents are likely to publicly bash you on that particular post, which is definitely a cherry on top for the frapist.
Blast from the Past
You're suddenly shocked by an onslaught of notifications one fine day. After checking your phone you find that your mother has decided to fish out baby pictures of you – not-so-clothed ones – and has uploaded them, tagging you and 15 others. And she didn't forget to leave mushy, embarrassing comments and captions either. This could be worse though; cute baby pictures are usually better than pre-puberty geeky ones that you were sure you had deleted or burned but lo and behold, your mother has salvaged a few.
NSFW Content
Knowing mother or father dearest may be making visits to your profile may be enough for you to refrain from sharing less than appropriate content, but the same can't be said about your friends. We all have that one friend who'll tag us to crude jokes or make inappropriate comments on our posts, just for fun of course, but good luck explaining that to your horrified parents.
Are You Studying?
Thanks to messenger and its "Active Now", don't be surprised if your parents knock you (especially from the other room) at random times asking why you're not studying. After all, your exams are only 289 days away! They'll leave an angry sticker too, for emphasis. To make sure you are, in fact, studying they'll spam your wall with educational links and articles that are along the lines of "Using your phone will permanently damage your brain."
Dost, Don't Check In
Bunking class and going out for burgers with friends is probably incomplete without a badass check-in and selfie, but it is of utmost importance that your parents do not know that you're not actually in math class. So, while your friends pose for that photo, you duck under the table and mumble, "dost, please don't tag me!"
While it may get a little frustrating at times, just remember, out of all those people who react with a "love" on your posts, your parents' reactions are the most genuine.
Salma Mohammad Ali fears she is becoming a crazy cat lady and uses writing as a means to grasp on to sanity. Send her your views/hate/love at fb.com/salma.ali209
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