I completely understand  when workshop facilitators and teachers discuss the dangers of social networking. From the scenarios they paint about the predator that could be messaging you on Facebook to the person that is copying your pics on Myspace  in order to use them for their creeper Tumblr page, I sit silent when I hear these stories because I have experienced them all. Except for there was no old guy pretending to be 18-year-old Jimmy. My stalker when it comes to social networking websites are my parents.

I love both of my parents to death but when it comes to the Internet, they are either my biggest fan or my worst enemy. When joining Facebook, it was mandatory for me to accept my Mother’s friend request or I would be banned — not by the creator of Facebook — but by my Mom. Even on Twitter, sometimes when I use the term “#oomf” (one of my followers), I am referring to my Mom. She even upgraded to a phone that connects to the Internet so that she could further investigate my online activity. It pains me to say that she even has a better phone than me, and I’m the one she is creeping on.

My mom isn’t one of those parents who monitors activity and just gives it a head nod or a sign of approval, but she also comments on my Facebook. When I make statuses and feel like my opinion should be heard, she never hesitates to make sure her opinion is heard too…on my Facebook page. She even goes as far as adding my friends, so that they too are under the watchful eye of the only Facebook stalker that is worth having…my mom.

My dad, however, is another story. When he first decided that getting a Facebook would remind him of his glory days of football and basketball, he asked me to operate his Facebook. I was not impressed with what his old buddies had to say, but I was surprised by how fast he learned to comment, send messages, and even Facebook chat. His quick learning skills of Facebook prove to be true because he updates me on everything he is doing. Facebook Pop Chat should crash and burn with the multitude of messages he sends me when I am simply upstairs. I laugh because he thinks he is the originator of many things but the majority of his statuses come from the chalkboard wall in my room. Anyhow, at least that’s one less social networking profile I have to check.

One reason why I do not complain about the eye contact my parents make with my social networking profiles is because I know that it is for my best interest. They have taught me that what is said online has value. If the wrong people read it and it is interpret incorrectly, that could damage my future and also make me out to be someone I am not. Colleges, jobs, and my future employers can view even my protected profiles in a blink of an eye and based on that decide if I am someone worth hiring or accepting into their school.

So, although it does get annoying at times and at times aggravating, I am so thankful that I have Facebook and Twitter stalkers that aren’t out to hurt me, but help me. I am satisfied in knowing that no matter what, someone has my back. I am glad to know that someone is watching and paying attention, and wants to see me exceed expectations. Even if it’s one social networking profile at a time.