Parents over-monitor teen's Facebook page

DEAR AMY: I am a junior in high school. I am a good student, a member of many clubs and a varsity athlete. My family is very close-knit. I've never given my parents any reason not to trust me. I don't drink or party, I never use profanity, and -- as a chronic perfectionist -- I try to please them. Recently, I got a Facebook page. My parents check it once a day, though they don't have Facebook themselves (other relatives are on Facebook). My family seems to think they should have jurisdiction over what I post. For example, if I post "rough day today," they tell me I'm moping and to get over myself. If I post that I received an award, they'll tell me I sound arrogant. I had to take down pictures from my homecoming dance because my aunt and my grandmother called my mother to say I looked like a prostitute because I wore makeup. My dress covered my shoulders and went past my knees. I feel as if they control me so much that I can't create my own identity. It hurts when your mother tells you family members think you look like a prostitute. I love them, but I wish my parents would let me live my own life. Do I just sound like a whining teenager?Stressed Teen

DEAR TEEN: The good news is that I understand the classic teen rebellion musical "Footloose" is being re-released this month. The bad news is that your family seems to have provided the plot.

From my perspective, your folks are lucky you haven't pushed back in the knee-jerk and (sometimes foolish) way teens often do when they feel smothered. Your parents are being very disrespectful.

However, Facebook is public (to a degree). If your folks didn't look over your shoulder at your postings, other family members would report you to them.

Keep a private diary (offline), and if someone in your family insults you, respond to them by saying, "Wow. That hurt my feelings. I deserve better."