Parenting in the Digital Age
Parents have a powerful role in shaping how children interact with technology, and setting limits can develop a healthy environment for children.
While I was scrolling on my feed on TikTok, I came across a video of a mother who goes by the name of Jordan Cheyenne forcing her son to cry for the camera. In the video, she is seen coaching him on how to act more upset while he is crying about the passing of their dog. The moment quickly went viral sparked by the concern and distraught from the viewers.
This made me question where the line should be between sharing family moments online and using a child’s vulnerability for views and likes. This issue becomes especially clear when looking at real-life situations, such as a situation involving Ruby Franke. Ruby Franke was a family content creator who shared her children's lives online for a larger audience, and her case raised concerns through child exploitation. She was arrested after authorities became aware of her children being mistreated and improperly taken care of. Her social media presence showed who she is as a person and her parenting. Eventually, law enforcement and child welfare intervened which led to her arrest and the children being removed from the situation.
Around the world, children are turning into viral content and entertainment products before they are old enough to understand the spotlight that they were forced into. As social media is rapidly growing, many children are growing up online without the privacy and mental wellbeing that they deserve. It affects millions of children who are being documented and monetized online. This surrounds the rise of child influencers, mainly focusing on how parents and their content make a profit, while children have little control over what is being posted about them.
To explore how social media influences parents' decisions. I spoke with two teachers, Mr. Noah and Ms. Helmer, both of whom are also parents. I wanted to know they approach being a parent in a world of social media. Both perspectives emphasize that growing up online can negatively affect a child’s mental health and sense of identity.
For example, Mr. Noah states that “too much online exposure at a young age creates depression, isolation, and anxiety.” This highlights why both parents would prioritize their supervision and limit their children’s access to social media. Ms. Helmer also agreed and stated that “Many studies point to increased risks of anxiety, depression, and distorted self-image for children who grow up immersed in online spaces.” Both perspectives align in showing that unrestricted screen based exposure can shape children’s emotions and self perception.
Both parents also had some thoughts about how parents displayed their children for likes and views. Mr. Noah said “that’s pretty messed up.” He went on to explain, “If they’re sexualizing their kid, or if they’re just keeping the money for themselves and spending it for fun. or using it to boost their own careers in some way that doesn’t benefit the kid, then I’d say that’s pretty messed up.” This concern is heightened by the fact that children cannot fully understand or consent to the long-term risks of being posted online, especially in America, where there are no laws protecting the privacy of kids, unlike in France, where they just passed legislation protecting the privacy of kids.
Another parent interviewed, Ms. Helmer, chooses not to share their children’s lives online at all, emphasizing that their privacy and peace should be protected. She also explains that, “The power dynamics change quickly,” especially when kids cannot fully understand the long-term consequences when it comes to being posted online. Her perspective highlights that intentional boundaries can be maintained while knowing the aspects of exploiting children through social media monetization.
Looking at these examples help me understand how powerful a parent’s choice can be when it comes to shaping their child's relationship with social media. Viral content and cases like Ruby Frank's show what could potentially happen when boundaries are ignored, while the interviews show how intentional limits can protect children from emotional exploitation. Parents have a powerful role in shaping how children interact with technology, and setting limits can develop a healthy environment for children. Parents should take an active role in setting boundaries to support a child’s emotional development.