It’s unfair to deprive our children of social media.
If you think it’s not? Fine. But if you think they won’t find a way to get it? You’re delusional.
Robin Bailey, co-host of Mamamia‘s The Well podcast, says “It is their world. It is how they communicate. It is what they do. It’s not up to us to deny them of that, it’s up to us to get on board.”
And she has a point. Social media and the world of online isn’t about video-calling friends and spending time on trivial games.
It’s how we learn about job interviews; it’s how we get our news and it’s how we from our opinions; it’s how we stay in touch with friends and family and learn of marriages and births and deaths.
Online is everything. A parent banning their teen or tween from being online is like holding a swimmer by the ankles when they try jumping off the starting block.
Listen to Bec Sparrow and Robin Bailey discuss kids and social media. Post continues after audio.
Robin Bailey’s co-host, author, and mother-of-three Bec Sparrow goes into high schools around the country giving talks to parents and tweens and teens about social media. About responsible usage and about navigating the online world.
It’s called ‘Before You Hit Send’.
“My big thing is, I’m not going to tell people not to be online,” says Bec. “What we want is for our kids to have a positive experience online.”