Facebook

"The family that plays together, stays together." This old adage still applies in the modern age, albeit in different forms.

Our whole family are members of Facebook, the social networking site. That's right - from my 5-year-old son to my forty-something husband. It helps to connect us somewhat in the digital world. Our extended family members are also on Facebook. This has the effect of levelling all relationships - such that the stern Auntie Mrs Low is now privately called by my young children as Goh-See, their interpretation of her avatar's name!

My young children use it mainly to play interactive games. Their favourite is Pet Society - which is modelled more or less on the same ideas as Sim's. They play with each other as well as with their cousin and uncle.

It's sometimes educational. Their latest favourite game, GeoChallenge, saw the children brushing up their Geography knowledge. Son No 1, through trial and error, has considerably improved his score. I was also extremely heartened to see Son No 2 lugging out the big atlas to learn the flags of the various countries. So much so that he has got his competitive Mummy, who is so far the top scorer, brushing up her knowledge too. Well, all's fair.

At the end of the day, it's a good way for keeping in touch and for sharing photos. We can now "visit" a niece's new house in Melbourne and enjoy another niece's wedding in Singapore. I also see it as a new dating tool - economical, convenient and hassle-free. Hey, are you free to go on Facebook tonight?