Recently, a photo circulated online showing a couple of parents engrossed in their phones while riding the subway with their children. The post, tagged with #modernparenting, sparked a flurry of reactions. Some comments were rather intense: “This is a huge problem, put those devices down!” and “Such a sad image.” But what if these parents were simply looking at photos of their kids from the outing? Maybe they were coordinating childcare or even doing work. Ultimately, shouldn’t adults be allowed to check their phones while waiting on a subway without facing judgment?
When did we collectively decide that parents must devote every second of their attention to their children? There’s rarely an outcry when a parent reads a magazine or when adults engage in conversation, seemingly ignoring the kids nearby. So why the uproar over phone usage? It’s more concerning that a stranger felt entitled to capture and criticize a family moment, posting it along with a judgmental hashtag.
The collective shaming of parents for using their phones is curious, especially since we all see people glued to their screens everywhere we go. While it’s true that many of us, including parents, have a strong attachment to our devices, the scrutiny often feels disproportionately aimed at moms. There’s even a Tumblr page dedicated to shaming parents on their phones, aptly named Parents On Phones. This site features anonymous photos of families with snide commentary like, “My daughter posing next to a mom who has no idea where her kid is.” Ironically, the person running this account might be busy using their own phone while they upload these images.
Clearly, we could all benefit from a little break from our screens, and parents are no more guilty of tech addiction than anyone else. If you’re interested in learning more about parenting or fertility options, check out this excellent resource on treating infertility from ACOG. Also, if you’re looking for home insemination kits, visit Cryobaby for expert advice and products.
In summary, let’s not hold parents to an impossible standard of constant engagement. They are entitled to their down time just like anyone else.