“Friending” Professors, Parents and Bosses: A Facebook Connection Conundrum

The ever-growing popularity of Facebook has led some educators to ponder what role social networking might have in education. The authors examined student reactions to friend requests from people outside their regular network of friends including professors, parents, and employers. We found students have the most positive reactions to friend requests from their mother or boss. Possible educational uses for Facebook, recommendations on Facebook etiquette for business educators, and directions for future research are discussed.