The word “friend” get thrown around quite a bit nowadays.  On FB, my  friends are actually my friends and family.  I do not have work associates or any other professional persons listed because that is why I use LinkedIn, to maintain those professional contacts.

The social and professional lines blur for many people and many are accepting of this situation.  For example, a friend told me a story of attending a local creative professional group.  Before leaving they all friended each other on FB, so that they could stay in touch.  Not phone numbers or emails but friended each other.  This boggles my mind, and yes I might be a bit conservative here but I want my friend and family time to be just that and nothing more. If I log into FB I do not want to see post from coworker or notices from classes, because it is a bit of social time even if is for just a moment.

In this age of hyper connectivity we need to learn to manage our exposure as we have not had to do in the past.  Ten years ago I would never have needed to be concerned that a co-worker might hear or read what they might find distasteful or offensive, I’m thinking of politics, from a friend.  I am sure not going to let it happen now it I have control over the mix of professional and personal life.