India Post News Service

Hey, move!! I need to check my Orkut account. Let me see how many scraps and friend requests I have." No, not something my sister said, or my friend or even my brother. This is something I get to hear everyday from my dad. Yes, such is the techno world that not just young blood, but now, even the middle aged go crazy about social networking.

The present day parent feels that the genX has become somewhat addicted to the internet and thus, it's very difficult to get them away from it. The only method they could device to help the younger ones use the socio-net in a healthy manner is that they themselves adapt to such activities. And now, they are enjoying it.

Says Avtar Narula, whose two young kids made her be a part of social networking, "Initially, I had a stereotype that social networking is all about wasting time, flirting and having indecent discussions. But, once I joined it, I realized that it's a very good way to keep in touch with many people at the same time.

I have also found out some of my very old friends here and I'm having a great time chatting with them." The mummies-daddies have started referring 'joining social networking' as a new step of parenting. They feel that apart from enjoyment, social networking keeps them in touch with what their own kids are doing on these sites.

This is what feels Udita Gaur, whose son is a part of social networking. She says, "Although, I am enjoying being a part of social networking, but chatting is not all I do. I also keep checking the profiles of the younger ones of my family to ensure that they are not into some unwanted stuff.

One cannot deny the fact that the young generation gets driven away by almost everything and thus, they need to be checked at regular intervals."

On the other hand is Praveen Kumar, whose two daughters made him join socio-net. He says, "Although I agree that social networking is, to an extent a good way to watch your kids, but, I give my daughters their own space on the net.

Moreover, youngsters have become really clever today and know very well how to restrict their parents from viewing their full profile. Using the technology, they can easily put their parents in the 'limited profile view' category. So, in my opinion, social networking is a good way to find old friends, keep in touch with them and make new efficient contacts.

It would not be right to say that it's really effective in keeping a check on your kids." But, come what may, the fact is, that maximum youngsters are being affected by their parents joining the socio-net. They either tell their friends not to talk about certain issues on the net or they try blocking their parents from their profile.

Such is the tech savvy world, that even parents, who, at some point of time, felt that social networking is nothing, but sheer wastage of time, are themselves spending some time of the day in it. They learn it, they have fun and…..try viewing their kids' 'full profile'!!!