Child psychologists' playground

There is a debate, raised by my own children, among others, over whether parents should be listed as the "friends" of their children within social networking communities.

I'm for it. When you are a Facebook friend of your children it gives you a window on their development. As long as you do not interfere in their socialising or pretend that you can be a part of their world, I see no harm in it.

Parents, in my view, should avoid heavy-handed interference in their children's lives. I try not to peek.

But sometimes I am invited to do so. There are thousands of special interest groups on Facebook. George, our 16-year-old son, disclosed some to which he belongs. It's a child psychologists' playground:


I Want To Ride The Barclay Card Flume.
If 50 million people join this group fuck all will happen.
The Dangerous Dave Appreciation Society.
I Am Fluent in Sarcasm.
I scope out good climbing trees, not the opposite sex.
Remember when you had to blow on the Nintendo cartridge when it messed up.
I Will Go Out of My Way To Step On a Leaf That Looks Particularly Crunchy.
I Stay Up Late and I Don't Do Anything Productive.
Why Yes, I Do Frequently Burst Out in Song.
The Mighty Boosh Appreciation Society.
If you're from Surrey, you're just better than everyone else.
Derek Zoolander's Group For Really Really Ridiculously Good Looking People.