Survey reveals Facebook no–nos for Grandma & Grandpa

        Grandkids have an instant message for grandma and grandpa.
        While they enjoy having you on Facebook, some secretly want to unfriend you because you post stuff that’s embarrassing. A national survey of millennial grandchildren uncovers the top five no-nos Grandma and Grandpop make on Facebook.
        The national survey of 500 grandkids ages 18-34 commissioned by Visiting Angels reveals a majority of grandkids (89%) enjoy having their grandparents on Facebook. However, almost one out of three sometimes secretly want to unfriend grandparents and more than half (54%) wish someone would sit down and show them how and when to use Facebook.
        Why?
        • They post personal stuff. One in four respondents say their grandparents post TMI (too much information) about their love life, social life.
        More than one third say Grandma or Grandpa post dirty laundry about family feuds or finances.
        • They rant and rave. One out of five grandchildren said Grammy goes “emoji crazy” in comments or posts. Thirty-three percent of respondents say they don’t like when grandparent(s) get too political or go “holy roller,” posting too much about religion (28%).
        • They tread on personal turf. One in four respondents said it’s not cool when Grandma tries to friend their friends. Thirty percent of grandkids said it’s embarrassing when Mimi or Pops post personal comments in public places, like their timeline.
        One half of those surveyed say they don’t want grandparents commenting on their social life.
        And a big no-no – almost one in four grandkids say please, Grandma, “Don’t comment about my appearance, whether it’s my hair, weight or clothes.”
         • They spread doom, gloom and guilt. Twenty-five percent of grandkids say they do not like to see grandparents post that they are lonely, unhappy, sick or sad.    
        One out of five respondents say they don’t like to see comments about a grandparent’s health, medical issues or procedures. One in four say they feel guilty when Grandma posts, “Why don’t you visit or call more?”
        • They try to act cool. Twenty-two percent say it’s not cool when Grandma or Gramps tries to act cool. And one respondent says he wants to hide when his grandparents “COMMENT IN ALL CAPS!”
        Grandkids love to see and feel love. A majority of those surveyed (72%) say it’s OK for Mimi or Papa to post “I love you” on Facebook.
        More than half (64%) say they love their grandparents and it is nice to see their photos and share theirs with them. 
        Six out of 10 of grandkids say Facebook is a great way to stay in touch.
        “It’s no surprise the survey reveals grandchildren love their grandparents and they are a bit sensitive about what Grandma or Grandpa might post or see on Facebook. These are, after all, some of the most important people in their lives,” said Larry Meigs, CEO of Visiting Angels, one of the nation’s largest in- home senior care companies, with a local office in Toledo.
        For more info about Visiting Angels, visit www.visitingangels.com.