Limiting kids' social media use | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Social Media May have ruined us, but we cannot let it ruin our kids, Too

Instagram and other social media platforms have their advantages, but we cannot let them dictate our lives.

111
Social Media May have ruined us, but we cannot let it ruin our kids, Too

About a week ago, I was walking into Super Target, getting in touch with my inner suburban mom, when I heard this phrase: "Daddy, can you take another one?" I turned my head to see a girl who could not have been more than 8, posing on one of the red balls outside of Target. It was not her utter lack of aesthetic sense that shocked me, but the situation as a whole.

This child was interrupting her day and delaying her dad from buying the mile-long list of groceries their family needed just so that she could have him TAKE HER PICTURE. I'm assuming that this photo was probably for her Instagram or Twitter (or whatever the kids are using nowadays) and that, my friends, is the problem.

We have become so obsessed with documenting every aspect of our life on social media that our youth believes that not only is that behavior OK, but NECESSARY. We are telling our children that they are not someone to be paid attention to unless they bring attention on themselves.

I know certain parents who will take and post over 100 (YES, 100) pictures a week, documenting every event they experienced from getting ice cream to getting gas. They are constantly yelling at their children to "SMILE!" and "SAY CHEESE!" so much so that their children don't even have time to look around, take in their surroundings, and JUST BE KIDS.

This a recent phenomenon. When I was born 20 years ago, my parents didn't walk around with their disposable Kodak cameras (remember those?) and whip it out at a moment's notice every time they saw a pretty flower. They knew that with every photo they took, they would have to bring it somewhere to be processed, which meant spending time and money. Pictures were not instantaneous. Pictures were not as easy.

But, as you all know, technology has changed and we have adapted.

Most of my generation, myself included, can say we are guilty of spending countless hours of time and energy striking the perfect pose up against a brick wall and thinking of the perfect Instagram caption to accompany it. That has become the norm in our society nowadays, and as cynical as it sounds, I don't see it changing anytime soon.

I spent months being pressured by my friends and my boyfriend to get an Instagram account, while I used to think it was superficial and a waste of time. Eventually, however, I gave in because I was missing out on important and amazing things the people I loved were doing. Without an Instagram, I wouldn't be able to see my best friend reach the top of a mountain in Arizona or create an iconic video about the second coming of Vine. Instagram and other social media platforms have their advantages, there is no denying that, but we cannot let them dictate our lives.

We need to make sure our children know that they don't need to have five different social media accounts to prove they are living their lives — they just need to live.

Moderation is a virtue, and it is essential when it comes to social media. As adults, we are not past the point of no return, but children's minds are much easier to mold.

Although I'm not a parent, nor do I nanny for a living, I do have some advice. Put your phone away when you are around kids. They don't need to see what shenanigans Total Frat Move is putting on their Insta today or see Kate Upton posting an absolutely FLAWLESS pregnancy photo. We set examples for children, whether they are ours or not, so make sure you aren't setting a superficial one.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

5 Things To Do That Are Better Than Writing A Paper

Don't waste your time trying to write that paper when there are so many more interesting things you could be doing.

396
computer keyboard
Unsplash

Writing a paper is never fun and is rarely rewarding. The writer's block, the page requirement, be specific, but don’t summarize, make sure you fixed any grammatical errors, did you even use spellcheck? and analyze, analyze, analyze.

Papers can be a major pain. They take up so much time and effort that by the end of the process you hate yourself and you hate the professor for making life so difficult. Questions of your existence start roaming in your mind. Am I even cut out for college if I can’t write a single paper? Am I even capable of taking care of myself if I lack the energy to open my laptop and start typing?

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons Why Sisters Are The Best

Who could be a better friend than your own sister?

309
sisters
Taylor Hooper

I can barely remember back when I was the only child. Most would say it’s because it is extremely difficult to remember things as a toddler but I would say it's because I was bored until my sister came along. My mother always says how important the "sister bond" is and with every year that passes I realize how right she is. Instead of writing a novel about all of the wonderful things there are about having a sister I decided to list a few of them instead.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Adult

You're gonna make it after all.

1988
how to adult
Twitter

It is the time of our lives that we are beginning to enter the adult world and most of us, if not all of us, have no idea what we are doing. It's like starting a video game, but skipping the tutorial. We're all just running around aimlessly hoping we accidentally do something right that moves us along the right path. Now that graduation has just happened, or is right around the corner for some of us, it's time to start thinking about how we are going to take care of ourselves once we are on our own.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

7 Signs You're A Starbucks Addict

I'll be the first one to admit I'm addicted to Starbucks.

876
drinking coffee
Tumblr

If you’re anything like me, you love a good cup of coffee. My coffee always comes from Starbucks; I refuse to drink it from anywhere else. Over the years, it’s become one of my biggest addictions. So, if you are aware that you’re a Starbucks addict as well, or maybe you need to check to see if you’re an addict, here are seven ways to tell.

Keep Reading...Show less
people  in library
Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash

College involves a whirlwind of emotions, whether it’s from the stress of an assignment (or twenty), or from fighting with your roommate. It can be overwhelming at times and it’s important to take a step a back and calmly think things over. Maybe gain some perspective. The following aren’t foolproof tips and may not apply to you, but I was able to find success with them (hope you do too!)

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments