Keeping up with the kiddies!

I have decided on a mission to introduce my friends to the technology that they will need to keep up with their kids as they get older. Here is my hierarchy of technology know-how that is necessary:

1. Email. Ok, everyone can and does email (thank goodness), however it is only the most basic form of electronic communication and not nearly advanced (or instantaneous enough) to keep up with teenagers.

2. Texting. You have a cell phone, you can text. I do what I call "old lady" texting......crappy keyboard, need to get out the reading glasses, don't know how to do a lot of things, but I can in fact send a basic text message given 5-10 minutes to do it (and handy reading glasses). Reading them goes much faster.

3. Instant Messaging. I started instant messaging at work at least 7 or 8 years ago, so this is not a new phenomenon. It's easy to get started with AOL IM or Google. It's a highly instantaneous and erratic form of communication. You just need your computer and im software. Then you can stalk your friends (and your children when necessary).

4. Blogging. Your kids may write a blog. You will have to know how to find it, so you can read it. Pretty easy. You definitely have to know how to leave comments. You can also write a blog and possibly use it as a way to increase your leverage as a parent. I'll have to think more on that one.

5. Facebook and My Space. At the very least you need to have an account and get your kids buy-in that you are, in fact, their friend, and you need access to their pages. This is public information and, in my opinion, you have the right and/or duty to make sure your kid isn't doing anything too wacky in public cyber space. It is fun to find your own friends on Facebook and My space, and I bet some people you haven't thought about it in a while are on there.

6. Twitter. Ok, we've reached my technological boundary. I havently gone there yet. But it might just be the new frontier.....

But when your kids are texting friends in the car constantly, and Im'ing while doing homework, you'll understand just a little bit more what they're up to!