does facebook have an age requirement?

so today . . . i was talking to a friend of mine, and she was telling me about her husband's grandmother, who is old and living in an assisted living facility. they went up to visit her last weekend, because they had been told that her health was failing. i think they were under the impression that death was imminent. but when they got there, grandma didn't seem that bad--just bored and tired of living with a bunch of old people. when she was telling me this, i said, "you should get her on facebook!" my friend looked at me like i was insane . . .

but really! i think it is a great idea!! there is so much you can do--she could stay busy and keep her mind active all day. she could have a pet, send flowers and goodies to people, as well as do stuff with them through superpoke. she could explore all the applications to see which ones she wanted to participate in. she could join groups that looked interesting. she could play games and take little quizzes to keep her mind sharp. she could communicate with her grandchildren and make new friends. she could post a fake profile picture and let people think she was a young person. she could have all kinds of fun, just on facebook! and then if you add in all the options on the rest of the internet, she would never be bored!

when diandra was little, we were having dinner with some friends one night and started talking about aging and retirement plans and and taking care of our parents if they got to the point where they needed it and what would happen to us when we got old (and maybe decrepit!) diandra was sitting there taking all this in--i think she was about 7. we were joking about what arrangements we would like her to make to care for us when we were really, really old, and what type of care facility we would prefer. after listening to us go on and on and on with requirements, she finally just looked at us and said, "i guess you will just go where i put you!"

since she is an only child, that is probably true! but it was so funny--that show of power--coming from this tiny, cute, sweet little girl, that we just laughed and laughed. it has become one of our most invoked family phrases--"i guess you will just go where i put you!" or "i guess we will just go where she puts us!"

well diandra, when i get really, really, REALLY old, just park me in your back bedroom with my laptop, internet access, and facebook. you won't hear a peep out of me--as long as you keep the brownies coming ;)