Explaining Social Media to Your Parents

Too often these days we hear "get off that phone" or "what is so important that you're always on your computer?"

Well Mom and Dad, just so you know, it's not illegal, it's social. Staying connected has become the new rage for teenagers to young professionals, and even older. If your parents are snooping around while you're on your Facebook page or while you're following your favorite celeb on Twitter, then set the record straight. Most parents these days see no benefit in knowing that "Tiffany XXX got a new tattoo of a butterfly" or "John XXX is grounded for two weeks for putting an M-80 in the toilet at school." I know my Mom could care less if the Kings of Leon are throwing a free show tonight! But that's just it, the benefits lie in the information we gather, as a social unit. When you stay connected, you feel connected. It becomes part of your daily routine to check your page, see who's doing what and let others know what's going on in your life. Even if it's not that important, someone out there is reading that update or that Tweet and for one moment, when you press send, you feel important. You somehow have a sense of validation in the world.

So my point is, get your parents connected, get them involved. They'll be excited to know they can connect with old friends and old classmates. And even though my Mom can't grasp the idea of why you have to double-click the mouse, seeing old faces and catching up with a generation that has been lost for years, is something they'll appreciate.