Social Media

A Note From Your Teenage Child Who’d Accepted Your Friend Request

Dear Mom and Dad,

I have accepted both of your friend requests on Facebook, but please don’t do anything strange online because everyone else can see them! You have your thousand rules for me at home, but I only have 10 requests from you…

 

PLEASE DO NOT:

1. Call me cheesy pet names

I know you give me pet names because you love me and it’s out of habit. I don’t mind you calling me “Ah Boy”, “Darling” or “Ah Meng” at home. But, please don’t do that online because all my friends will start calling me names too!

 

2. Publicly mention my curfew

Yes, my curfew is 9 pm and I know I’m still late sometimes. But, I’m a teenager and having a curfew isn’t cool! What more when you let my friends know how early my curfew is on Facebook! Call or send me a text message the next time I’m late and I promise I’ll reply as soon as I see it.

 

3. Upload embarrassing photos of me
   

   Image Source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/437524/Dad-s-just-not-cool-Parents-feel-out-of-touch-with-their-children

I get that I will always be cute in your eyes. But, ‘cute’ for us teenagers isn’t defined the same way as you define it. Remember the picture of the 10-year-old me with a centre-parting hairstyle? It’s cute to you, but it’s humiliating for me on Facebook! Please don’t ever post any of my so-called “cute” photographs online.

 

4. Add my friends as your friends

I know exactly what you are up to – monitor me through my friends online. But if you don’t want to be seen as a weirdo, then don’t add my friends on Facebook. If you have to, just ask me directly or add those whom you have met and know well.

 

5. Expose my habits online

Some things are meant to be kept secret within the family – like the fact that I often forget to flush the toilet or that I drool when I sleep. I’m aware of my habits but just continue reminding me to change them face-to-face. But not through Facebook! I have a reputation to uphold in front of my friends too!

 

6. Check-in to a location with me

I love going out with you and I mean it, especially when you’re paying for everything! But, please stop checking in locations and tagging me in all of them.

 

7. Like/Comment on every single post

You may agree with whatever I say and I thank you for that. But, you don’t have to publicly agree with me on everything online through your likes and comments. Sure, you can still do it, but not on every single thing that I post. It will seem like you’re lurking on my page 24/7!

8. Publicly display your overwhelming affection for me

I know you love me and I love you too. But, perhaps we can keep all that affection you have offline? And by this, I mean saying mushy words like, “I love you, son!” and even photos of you hugging me. I’ll love you guys even more if you just keep your showers of love for me away from Facebook!

 

9. Upload embarrassing photos of yourselves

I get that both of you are still deeply in love with each other. But, just so you know, anyone and everyone, including my friends and their parents, will be able to see anything and everything you post! So, if you have any questionable photos – like your “passionate” photos – the least you could do is to change the privacy settings.

10. Use slang

I appreciate that the both of you try your utmost best to connect with me by using teenage lingo. But mom, dad, I’m sorry to tell you this – the slangs you are using are outdated or are just not used in the right context! So, don’t use them at all if you don’t know how because you will just be making a fool out of yourselves and me.