Lifestyle - Parents turn to Facebook

Social network sites, such as Facebook, are increasingly being used by parents to keep in touch with their children when they are away, according to a new study.

The study has revealed that parents are embracing new technologies to keep an eye on their children''s lives at university. In the poll, it was found that 75 percent of parents are on social networking sites such as Facebook and over 64 per cent are ''friends'' with their children, enabling them to have regular contact and updates on what their children are getting up to while away from home.

Majority of parents feel that newer technologies have made it easier for them to stay in touch with their kids, according to a poll released today from the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills (DIUS). "With record numbers of young people going to university, more and more families are using new ways of communicating to stay connected with their children whilst away from home,” the Telegraph quoted David Lammy, Minister of State for Higher Education, as saying. "New technologies have made a big impact on all our lives and as students return from the Christmas break, it''s never been easier for mums and dads to stay in touch and updated on their child''s progress,” Lammy said.

While old-fashioned landline telephones remain a popular communication tool, many parents are relying on mobile phones, emails, social networking sites and the Internet as their main way of contacting their kids.

One in ten have even set up a blog to communicate with their children and 12 per cent are using web cams, according to research which questioned 1,000 parents with children either currently at university or whose children have left in the last five years.