Teens who are linked with their parents on social networks feel closer to them in real life, too. That’s the word from a new study from Brigham Young University (published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking). Researchers found that half of teens had friended their parents online, with 20 percent saying they interact with them online every day.

So, what comes first? Do parents and their kids get closer on Facebook, or do tight-knit families tend to carry those ties to the Internet?

“It’s bi-directional,” says BYU professor Sarah Coyne. “As we have experiences in new media, it strengthens bonds that are already there. It’s kind of a rich get richer type of thing and cementing what’s already there. You don’t want these results to get overblown to say, ‘If you friend your kid on Facebook, you’re suddenly going to have a great relationship.’ It’s just one tool in an arsenal that parents have to connect with their teens.” (CNET)

Paul Asay has covered religion for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for Plugged In and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He lives in Colorado Springs with wife Wendy and his two children. Follow him on Twitter.