Dear Maggie,

My family is having a meltdown and it’s all because of Facebook! It all started when one of my cousins posted about another one, saying something not so nice, and then the whole family started jumping in and taking sides. Now they’re all taking pot shots with every “status update” they post, and it’s horrifying. I’m embarrassed to have their nonsense popping up on my page all the time, and I don’t know how to deal with it. Can you “unfriend” your relatives? I think we could use an etiquette primer on social networking sites. Can you help?

Signed,

Too Connected

Dear Connected,

Ah, a topic I’ve been dying to talk about. Why do some people air their private squabbles in such a public forum? Susie feels offended or wounded, and can hardly wait to expose the Sally’s behavior on Facebook. Won’t Sally be ashamed, then! (No, she’ll be defensive and start posting about Susie’s behavior.) Won’t all Susie’s friends take her side and prove her right! (Only if they’re 13. Adults will feel squirmy and back quietly away.) Won’t everyone finally see what the awful Sally has put poor Susie through? (Yes, the same stuff someone has put everyone through at one time or another. Susie’s not unique and no one cares about her private bickering.)