The first step to overcoming a problem is to admit you have one. “Hello, my name is David, and I am a Facebook junky.” If there isn’t a 12-step program for Facebook, there should be.

I was much dismayed today when I went to my internet viewing history and Facebook was the most viewed site. I was appalled. The Princesses and the Admiral have been using my computer. Yeah, that’s it, it isn’t me, it’s them. Whew, for a minute there … No, I must come clean. It is I. I am the Facebook junky.

A year or so ago, I scoffed at those within the social network. I did not need such in my life, nor did my family. We had all the networking we needed through email. Besides, I needed no added excuse to procrastinate. Facebook and its evils was even the topic of a church meeting for parents of teens. I determined to never have a Facebook account, ever. I lied.

The Princesses begged to have accounts so that they could keep in touch with their friends. We stood firm in our opposition for a while, but there is just so much whining and whimpering a parent can stand. I have always asked myself when in conflict with my teenagers, “Is this the hill you want to die on?” The answer was no. They could have accounts, but the Admiral had to monitor them.

One day, I walked by the Admiral while she was using the computer. She was laughing.

“What’s so funny?’ I asked.

“Some of the stuff your daughters have posted on Facebook.”

“It’s that funny?”

“It’s hysterical! Here, read this.” She moved out of the way so I could see the screen.

It was funny. It was very funny. I scrolled down the page and read another entry. I laughed.

The Admiral, frustrated said, “Come on, I want to see.” I did not move. “Get your own account!”

“You have an account?”

“Yeah, it’s easy. Here let me show you.” The deed was done. I had taken my first step into the oblivion of Facebook.

I said I would never use it, but I did. It is a great way to keep up with the Princesses and what they and their friends are doing, and saying. I learn a lot from the back and forth banter. I would like to say Facebook is pure evil, but it isn’t.

I have reconnected with high school, college, and Marine Corps friends. I have “friended” many of my daughters’ friends and keep a running dialogue with them. I have also found family members I have never met. The network is a great outlet for my work and my books have their own “like” pages. None of that is bad.

The bad is that I can check my account on my phone, as well as my computer and do so many times a day. As I sat down to write this column, I opened the word processor, then clicked on the internet, saw Facebook and clicked on it! Work would still be there later.

I am working very hard to control my obsession. I have instituted a “three times a day” rule for myself. A mature person would ask at this point that you not look me up on Facebook. If you do, you will be contributing to my delinquency. Warning: I’ll probably accept your friend request and move you along the same path I am on. Misery loves company and so does friendship.

David Wilson Atwood is a local freelance writer whose human-interest columns offer a unique perspective. He may be contacted at david@starchasers.us.