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I find myself spending an excessive amount of time on social media. As a writer, I share my thoughts and experiences through words and images on different platforms. I love capturing the amusing moments my kids have, sharing their adorable faces with others.
However, as my children grow, they are starting to express their views on what I should or shouldn’t post. I respect their preferences. My 11-year-old son, in particular, has some intriguing thoughts about social media.
One day, I mentioned to my husband that I was going to post something on Facebook. My son chimed in with a playful remark, “Oh boy, Facebook! Let’s take a look!” using a funny voice he calls his “Brenda” voice, which he describes as a mix of a valley girl and Pee-Wee Herman. I was curious and asked him to elaborate. He explained that Facebook feels like a platform for moms to showcase their kids and boast about their lives. I found his observation both amusing and accurate.
“Think about it,” he continued. “We take a ton of pictures daily for you to share on Facebook. Other people do this too because you mention it often. But honestly, does anyone really care about what we’re doing every day?”
This made me pause. It’s a valid question. Does anyone genuinely care? Perhaps “care” isn’t the right term; many people enjoy living vicariously through others on social media without the need for lengthy conversations about mundane experiences. It’s like having visual summaries of life. He was onto something there, so I asked more questions.
“Do you enjoy when I share things on Facebook?”
“Sometimes it’s okay, but I don’t find your stories as funny as you do. No offense.”
“None taken!” I laughed.
“So, you think Facebook is just for moms to brag? What about TikTok?”
I anticipated his response. He has strong feelings about TikTok, particularly about what he calls “TikTok girls,” who create silly dances and try to appear “drippy.” (I had to look that up too; it means being cool or stylish, apparently.)
“It’s a waste of time. You don’t need to do those dumb dances to seem cool. Just be yourself!”
I found his perspective quite insightful for someone entering middle school. He mentioned that while TikTok has funny content, many ruin it by trying too hard. He then made a playful jab at me: “But how would I know? You only let me look at it on your phone because I’m too young, remember?” Touché!
He’s right; I don’t allow him to have TikTok or any social media just yet. Maybe I’m being overly cautious, but I feel he’s too young for a world filled with complexities he might not grasp. I want him to appreciate his childhood a bit longer, enjoying games and fun videos. Still, I was intrigued to hear his thoughts.
Next, we discussed Instagram, which piqued my interest since my partner uses it professionally as an influencer. I wasn’t sure how he would respond.
“Instagram? You mean like for work?”
“It could be. I just want to know your thoughts on it.”
“Well, Facebook is for moms, and Instagram is for businesses. It seems like everything is just about advertising. Isn’t that right?”
I briefly explained how advertising infiltrates our lives, often without our awareness. Judging by his expression, that was three precious minutes he’d never get back.
We talked a bit more about Instagram, and he seemed indifferent to it, especially regarding personal sharing. I asked him for his overall thoughts on social media. Was it helpful or just a waste of time?
“Well, you’ve been doing this my whole life. I can’t imagine life without it. It would feel strange if you didn’t share pictures and stories. But I don’t get why you spend so much time on it. You’re like addicted to Facebook, just like you are to Diet Coke.”
Guilty as charged! I likely have a social media habit, especially with Facebook, where I connect with over 1,000 friends and can easily spend hours scrolling through updates. It brings me joy to stay connected with various people in my life. I suspect he’ll feel the same way one day, even if he won’t know a world without smartphones or the Internet.
Social media will undoubtedly continue to transform during his lifetime. I wonder how his generation will choose to share their experiences. With parents like us sharing so much, platforms like Facebook may seem outdated to them, leading to less sharing overall. I can’t help but think about how things will look when he’s an adult—it’s both exciting and daunting to consider. I asked what he envisions social media will be like for him as he grows older.
“I hope I can stay connected with people like you do. I have friends now that I want to keep forever. I also want to stay in touch with my brothers and cousins, so I can see what’s happening with my family. I hope they think I’m a cool uncle. Do you think they will?”
Absolutely! I’m sure they will think you’re the coolest uncle. I believe he’ll maintain friendships from childhood into adulthood. Social media isn’t going anywhere; it will just evolve, likely improving with time. But it’s important to remember that once something is shared, it’s out there forever. So, be mindful of what you post; someone’s always watching. And if you ever receive a friend request from your old mom, I hope you’ll accept it!
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