Facebook Defectors

Not having ever really embraced Facebook, I was just considering using it this semester because it's where my students prefer to do their group work.  Then I saw an article about how many teenagers are exiting Facebook in order to get away from their parents, aunts, uncles, and other family members.  This is true in both the US and in Europe.  (I don't know about China, but I noticed that three of my students were looking at Mychat on our final exam day.)  However, this defecting has been met with alarm by their "elders," who want them to post so the elders can know about their lives, precisely the reason the kids don't want to continue.  The adults see Facebook as a way for the family to remain connected.  The kids want something cooler--Twitter, Instagram, Snapchap, and Whats App.  (What's Whats App?)  Someone named Miller was quoted as saying, "What appears to be the most seminal moment in a young person's decision to leave Facebook was surely that dreaded day your mum sends you a friend request.  You just can't be young and free if you know your parents can access your every indiscretion...Facebook is simply not cool anymore."  So Facebook is going to be left for the parents, aunts, and Uncles.  Of course, my students are in the slightly older set.  The study I read about was focusing on kids 16-18, I think.