I am on Facebook...kind of. I have an alias similar to my real name that I used to create an account to keep connected the DH's family. The family previously had its own web page that wasn't free, & everyone voted to connect on Facebook because it was free & could include friends, etc. I haven't really considered creating an account with my real name, as the family members that I wanted to stay connected to friended my alias.
I have considered joining with my real name, to reconnect with high school & college friends, but the current privacy/data collection issues creep me out. DH & others in my family also refuse to use Facebook, as they seemed to be wary about the privacy violations from the beginning. DH does have a LinkedIn account.
I have not allowed my 13 & 15 year old sons to join Facebook either (most of their friends have had accounts since they've been in elementary school). Believe me, I got lots of grief from them initially. I saw the benefit of social connections, & my sons thankfully have lots of good friends, but I just saw the potential for "mean girl" behavior with this (though I have sons, I think you all know what I mean by "mean girl" behavior). They are active with school, activities, sports, etc, in real life. Maybe now that they're older, we'll reconsider, but honestly they don't seem that concerned anymore. I have also heard from the other moms that Twitter is considered cooler now, anyway.
Julie
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