Does Facebook make you older?

There is a new, silent enemy of middle-age people –- Facebook.

For the last few years I have kept my birthday very quiet. Why would I want to announce to the world that I’m another year older (and as the old song goes, “deeper in debt,” given the economic meltdown)? So I normally spend my birthday in anonymous bliss, sharing the secret only with people I know will give me presents.

But by the time I woke up this morning, I had already received e-mails from across the country, wishing me a “Happy” day, thus ensuring that I would spend the day contemplating all the things I have not accomplished as time ticks away. It didn’t take long to trace the culprit –- Facebook -- which had automatically proclaimed to my “friends” on the service that the annual day of dread had arrived.

On behalf of middle-age folk everywhere, I’m contemplating a class-action suit. Not to be confused with a birthday suit.

-- David Colker

Times staff writer David Colker covers consumer issues for the Business section.

Photo: Jamie Ramirez, 4, belts out the "Happy Birthday" song at the 50th anniversary celebration of Telfair Avenue Elementary School in Pacoima in 2001. Credit: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Christine]

Give me a break!! A class action lawsuit? Way to act your age. If you don't want your facebook friends to know how old you are, maybe you should update your privacy settings, rather than complain to millions of people through the newspaper.

Grow up!

[aesarax]

Christine, I'm about 99.99% sure he was joking. Lighten up.