Recently, I had a chat with a friend who revealed that her 10-year-old son has an Instagram account. Typically, we align on parenting choices, so I was a bit taken aback. When I inquired further, she assured me that she has strict rules and privacy settings to shield him. She mentioned having discussions about suitable photos and online safety, saying she trusts him to make wise decisions online.
But here’s the thing: I firmly believe that no child under 13 should be on social media. Yes, I said it.
The days of tangled phone cords and face-to-face conversations are long gone. As a mom of both a tween and a teen, I understand the difficulty of saying no to platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and others that kids flock to these days. I’ve talked with my children about online dangers, texting manners, and making smart choices. I have faith that they’ll be responsible if I ever allow them to join the social media crowd.
I’ve encountered many parents who think I’m being overly cautious. They argue that social media, when monitored by parents, can serve as a valuable learning opportunity. “Just make sure you follow him on Facebook!” they suggest, or “I have her follow me so she knows I’m keeping an eye on things.” They insist that my kids are missing out on important social interactions and that I should relax my rules.
But my answer is still no.
While I can secure my kids’ accounts and limit their online exposure, I know what I post on my social media and I don’t want them—or your 11-year-old—to see my adult content. My 10-year-old doesn’t need to stumble upon her friend’s mom’s party photos or a meme about inappropriate topics. She’s simply too young for Facebook, and since I can’t control what she might encounter on Instagram, I’ll keep saying no to an account.
I’m an adult who enjoys colorful language, edgy memes, and humorous rants about parenting. I vent about my kids on Facebook and share candid moments on Instagram. I don’t want to modify my online presence for your child’s benefit. I also don’t want to accept your child’s friend request just to monitor their activity or, worse, confront you about their behavior online—it’s awkward!
Can we agree that I don’t need to be involved in your children’s social media lives?
I might sound harsh, and I’m sure my friends are rolling their eyes at my stance. But I refuse to censor my digital life so your child can maintain their childhood innocence for a little longer. I’ll continue to express myself freely online, and I won’t hesitate to decline your child’s friend request repeatedly if they persist.
I share photos of cocktails and sometimes even post tipsy selfies. Do you really want to explain why I’m in a silly outfit belting out ’80s hits? And please, don’t lecture me about what’s appropriate online. My adult friends get it and are on the same wavelength as me (well, maybe not the dancing on countertops).
I cherish my friendships with fellow adults—those who understand the challenges of parenting and can laugh about them with me. I’ve built a platform based on sharing my parenting experiences, and I often remind my friends to keep their kids away from my accounts. If they don’t, I have no qualms about removing them. Sorry, kids, but this isn’t a family-friendly zone.
I don’t want to interact with school-aged kids online any more than I have to in real life. I may not get a moment of privacy in my home, but I can vent about it in my own online space without your kids watching my every tweet.
In summary, I’m standing firm on my decision to keep my social media life separate from your child’s. They can wait until they’re older to join the digital world. If you’re interested in learning more about parenting and home insemination, check out this insightful article. For more information about home insemination kits, click here. Also, don’t miss out on this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination topics.