[...]The Difference Between "Facebook Friends” and Real Friends « Phil Cooke[...]…

My wife is on it and she has nearly 250 or something friends. Some she reconected with and others???

Any thoughts on how Facebook is now reaching across generational lines and whether or not that's always a good thing?

For instance, I myself am part of the generation that started Facebook when it was strictly for college students with university email accounts about 5 or so years ago. The more it became open to other generations the more I tended to give a little snarl. First it was high schoolers, then open to the public.

Now today, there are times that I resent this fact because there's always one of my old friend's moms that gets on because she wants to "be cool" and get involved in her kids lives. And I'm just thinking "ya know, we can say hey at church, but I don't really want you keeping tabs on my relationships, status updates and pictures and then writing some corny comment about them. it's not that I have anything to hide necessarily, but the fact is, you act different when you're around your own age group and people that understand where you come from. You interact in a way that reflects your personality as your friends know you without worrying that your coworker, pastor or mom might see a post and get the wrong impression.

Or maybe the question isn't about generation spanning as much as it is about some sort of etiquette of when it's appropriate to befriend or not befriend someone. My friend always says he wishes that there wasn't just an "ignore" button, but also a "no I don't want to be your friend" button. Because some people just don't get the hint sometimes.

I think facebook will eventually be replaced in the cycle of cyber networking.  Myspace is already losing its appeal as has other forms such as Xanga.  The youth will look for a more private place to hangout where adults are less likely to venture.

As for me, it has been a great way to re-connect with friends and associates I had lost contact with over the years.  Many in their 40-50s are just learning how to use it and will probably drive the younger crowd elsewhere.  It is the closest mixed-generational social networking site I have seen where most families don't mind intermixing conversations of kids and parents.

Phil

 http://www.trainmasterthemovie.com

On the other hand, there are certain important barriers that the Internet makes it tempting to circumvent, as evidenced by the trend of "sexting" that's been making its way through the press of late—not to mention what you talked about. It seems like technology is always a double-edged sword: interacting with people you might not ever meet vs. removing the work of real relationship.

It is a generational aspect in that my generation grew up lacking the same social skills that set apart previous generations. We have a lot to learn.