Manage expectations.

To avoid misunderstanding, mentors should tell their mentees about their social media habits, so as to help manage expectations. If a mentee discloses something time sensitive over Facebook or texting and receives no response there could be hurtful or even dangerous lapses in the provision of timely support. Likewise, mentors may have good reasons to exclude their mentees from their Facebook pages, but the rejection (or simple ignoring) of friend requests can be hurtful to young people.  Staff and mentors are encouraged to set expectations and policies around social media at the onset of the relationship—before such lapses and requests.