Chloe Smith, a self-professed Facebook addict (aren’t we all?), has faced the ultimate friend request decision:
To accept her professor’s friend request, or not to accept her professor’s friend request. That is a scary question. I’ll give her professor the benefit of the doubt and say that he or she didn’t add her for anything particularly suspicious. But it is an altogether unfair move on the professor’s part, especially since they aren’t exactly “chums.” In the linked article however, Smith manages to side-step the real issue at hand, instead choosing to engage in a hot debate about the ramifications of the word “friend” acting as a verb. The beauties of a progressive English language!
Still, we cannot ignore the fact that Chloe Smith faces a teacher-student dilemma like no other. If she rejects the friend request, it could make things totally awkward. In fact, he or she may retaliate by giving her a bad grade. If she does accept the friend request, then she risks embarassing herself with the possible existence of lewd photos and crude comments made on her wall. Or not.
The way I see it is that with Facebook, anything is possible–even a friend request from a professor.
My solution?
Limited profile.
“To accept her professor’s friend request, or not to accept her professor’s friend request. ”
Is nothing sacred? This will tear at the very fabric of modern society.
No Way!
Said anon y mous,
On February 4, 2008 at 11:44 am:
not to sound like a preacher, but why post information on the internet,
which, be definition is available all, that you aren’t willing to have viewed by all?
As computer gurus know, once the information is out there, it’s out there, and anyone can get to it whether it is allegedly “password protected” or not.
Said Sarah Cohler,
On February 4, 2008 at 1:03 pm:
This is great. You should accept, how many professors request that anyway? Why have things on facebook that your future employers can see anyway? You know you profile is open to firms, right? Friends or not. So might as well add your professor.
Said anon,
On February 4, 2008 at 4:32 pm: