Buys a stake in Facebook? Somebody should put a stake in the heart of Facebook. I have teenage daughters and it often becomes the medium by which high school anguish over friends and boyfriends/girlfriends is perpetuated and exacerbated.

Unlike the old days when I was in school, school based teenage drama did not have Facebook, Myspace, texting, cell phones, Im-ing etc. to elevate the hormone driven drama to a 24/7 technological ranting and raving reality show. You could go home and get away from everybody--cool off. Everybody could relax and gain a bit of perspective.

Oh well,here's to progress.

Cheers.

No one ever lost money by underestimating the taste of the American public!

Absurd

"Unlike the old days when I was in school, school based teenage drama did not have Facebook, Myspace, texting, cell phones, Im-ing etc."

This isn't directed to *you*, but I often hear younger parents in my office complain about how much their son/daughter text message and what not.

It's called parental control, exercise it.

If you don't like your child's behavior, discontinue it. I graduated in 1997, and somehow managed to make it through high school without a cellphone.

Letting kids whore themselves out on some website seems iffy at best too.

it's called stalkerbook once someone is added to your friends list all their actions are displayed on your mini feed

It's called parental control, exercise it.

If you don't like your child's behavior, discontinue it. I graduated in 1997, and somehow managed to make it through high school without a cellphone.

Congratulations on your graduation. Apparently, you managed to make it through without tact too.

When I decide to give you particulars of my kids' behavior, the details in regard to the circumstances to which I made vague reference and the specifics of my philosophy of parenting, then I will look for your advice.

Until then, please hold your breath while you wait.

Cheers

If you don't like your child's behavior, discontinue it.

The world isn't black and white. Neither is parenting. Someday you will grow up and realize it.

Buys a stake in Facebook? Somebody should put a stake in the heart of Facebook.

Are we ever on the same side of anything, Grendel? My son was hired by Facebrook this summer. Stocks are part of his compensation. I raised him from the time he was seven on computers and video games. It's paying off handsomely now.

Until then, please hold your breath while you wait.


Geez...feeling a bit catty, G-man?

Buys a stake in Facebook? Somebody should put a stake in the heart of Facebook.

Are we ever on the same side of anything, Grendel? My son was hired by Facebrook this summer. Stocks are part of his compensation. I raised him from the time he was seven on computers and video games. It's paying off handsomely now.

That is funny--my daughter having a bad experience with Facebook and your son having a great opportunity--that coupled with our diametrically opposed worldviews all sounds like a bit of synchronicity, or fate, kismet, wyrd, fortuna, providence--oh, sorry, I mean random chance or mere coincidence.

By the way my condemnation of Facebook was a bit of self concious hyperbole. My point was really that teens being constantly wired and dependent on electronic extensions of their social networks is a real challenge for teens and their parents these days. From what I see, Facebook seems to be the most innocuous of the list of things I mentioned.

Best of luck to your son in his new job.

Cheers

Until then, please hold your breath while you wait.


Geez...feeling a bit catty, G-man?

Just a bit, but that is as about as riled up as I get.

When it comes to the masters of flame wars, I walk small and humble among the giants here on the Retort.

Cheers

Win. Win. Microsoft wants to be "cool" and "hip" recognizable and target the next generation to buy its future products.

Smart move.

It's a shame you'll never see this Grendel (I was out of town when I posted that). I've got plenty of tact.

First of all, we have a 6 year-old daughter. I realize that parenting isn't always black & white, but we're the boss.

One of the things I always knew I wouldn't want to repeat from my personal upbringing: being a "buddy" to my child. I did a lot of dumb shit as a kid, mostly because I knew my parents wouldn't come down on me... why would they? They're my buddies!?!!?

I can't speak for you, but a female co-worker of mine has an 11 year old daughter. She's constantly complaining about her 2000txt's a month, facebook/myspace and instant messaging of strangers on the Internet.

That shit just wouldn't, couldn't and won't fly in our house.

If the reasons why it wouldn't escape anyone reading this, you've already lost the battle with your children.