At a Christmas party last week involving family and friends, there was a particular incident which highlighted the hawk-like hazards of parents on Facebook.
During a festive conversation with my friend's mum, which was absolutely fine, she asked me to accept her friend request on the social network - so she could carry on 'keeping track'.
"I just like to know what you guys are up to," she said cheerily.
At this point I didn't really know what to say - had she added me and I ignored, or was that still to come?
I use this foreboding because I will not be accepting any requests from my friend's parents.
Social networking is definitely no longer just associated with the youth, many a mum or dad, including my parents are on it.
Their online requests were ignored - we are on friendly terms, just not on Facebook.
It's true, I could put them on a limited profile but what's the point; it's like having Sky but only being able to access the regular channels.
You've got something to hide I hear you saying.
Well actually there's a few shots of me at halloween dressed as a man-eating shark, but as far as I can think there's nothing particularly illegal - I'm just not that bad ass.
Another problem is tampering, more harshly know as Facebook-rape, and this happens in my student house on a frequent basis.
One day, you're feeling quite relaxed; you leave yourself logged in by accident and vacate your computer. Then along comes a fellow housemate.
Before you know it you're a transexual nun working at a brothel - not that there's anything wrong with that.
Your 'friend' will have gone to town on your account, telling everyone you are sad or pregnant, or it's your birthday - when it's not.
The subject of pregnancy is actually very relevant, because recently, out of nowhere, my female housemate announced she was expecting via her Facebook status.
An hour later, she received a varied mix of comments on her wall:
There were congratulations:
"Wow, fantastic. I had no idea, you hid that well."
And confusion:
"Who the hell's the father?"
Her mum, who had somehow spotted it, also rang to say she was driving down - this was quickly rectified.
Sly friends will also try to add your parents in order to cause a world of embarrassment; inviting them to groups superficiously created about you.
'Amy is partaking in the London Marathon - please sponsor me.'
Unfortunately Amy was not.
So far I have kept my parent's Facebook accounts secret.
I prefer for most aspects of my social life to be followed by the friends involved, but if it's in my parents interest, such as a photo of a mate falling into a christmas tree wearing 3D sunglasses, I will let them know.
But I don't want to be monitored like social CCTV - even if this is vigorously denied.
"I'm not interested in what you get up to all the time," announced my mum.
Sorry, but I just have this image of her scanning through my 'Last day of term' gallery like an FBI agent.
It's far from Carnage but I don't want to feel like a papped celebrity.
"Harry Harris buys microwaveable meals."
Not that I do this on the last day of term, or I take photos when I'm buying food, but my mum hopes I cook without the aid of the microwave - I do, most of the time.
The latest progress involves me telling my parents a story over the phone from university which they already knew about. They may have seen photos on a friends account, but it's mainly due to the fact my brother has given in to certain corners of the web-savvy parental community, and he's clearly not the only one.
To be fair my mum and dad are not obsessed, more intrigued - I probably would be, but that doesn't change my stance.
The lure of seeing what your children are up to in their social lives must be undeniable, particularly, I imagine, if they are sixteen and won't tell you anything, but I resent the need for parents to see my life in a Big Brother-esque slow motion.
*You have a friend recommendation:
Jane Jones: you know Jane through Jenny (her daughter).
IGNORE.
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