I Recently Asked My Tween for His Take on Social Media, and His Perspective Caught Me Off Guard

As a writer, I find myself spending a lot of time on social media—perhaps more than I should. I often share my thoughts and experiences through words and images across various platforms. My children, with their amusing antics, frequently find their way into my posts, and I enjoy showcasing their adorable faces.

However, as my kids grow older, they’ve begun to express their preferences about what I can share. I respect their boundaries, but their viewpoints on social media—especially those of my 11-year-old son—are quite intriguing.

A Humorous Take on Facebook

One afternoon, while chatting with my husband about posting on Facebook, my son chimed in with a humorous impression he calls his “Brenda” voice, mimicking a middle-aged woman. He remarked, “Oh boy, Facebook. Let’s see what the moms are up to!” His take was both funny and insightful; he described Facebook as a platform for mothers to showcase their lives and brag about their kids. I found his observation to be quite accurate and encouraged him to elaborate.

“Think about it,” he said. “We take countless pictures every day just so you can post them on Facebook. But does anyone really care about our daily activities?” It was a thought-provoking question. While I’m unsure if “care” is the right word, social media does allow people to experience others’ lives vicariously without the need for lengthy conversations. He was onto something—perhaps we don’t care as much as we think.

Thoughts on My Facebook Posts

Curious to know more, I asked him how he felt about my Facebook posts. “Sometimes it’s fine, I guess,” he replied, “but I don’t think your stories are that funny. Sorry, no offense.” No offense taken, I assured him.

Disdain for TikTok

Then I shifted the conversation to TikTok, knowing he had strong feelings about it. He expressed his disdain for “TikTok girls,” who he believes waste time trying to look cool with silly dances. “Just be yourself,” he advised, which is surprisingly wise for someone just entering middle school. He acknowledged that while TikTok has its funny moments, many users ruin it by trying too hard to impress. He also reminded me, “But how would I know? You only let me see it on your phone because I’m too young.” Touché.

I agree that he’s too young for TikTok, but I still wanted to hear his thoughts on Instagram. Given that my husband is an Instagram influencer, I was curious about his perspective. “Isn’t Instagram just for businesses?” he asked. After explaining how advertising works, I could see that he was struggling to grasp the concept.

Reflections on Social Media

When I asked him about social media in general, he reflected, “You’ve been doing this my whole life. I can’t imagine a time without it. But I don’t get why you spend so much time online. It’s like you’re addicted to Facebook, similar to how you love Diet Coke.” He wasn’t wrong; I do enjoy scrolling through my feed and connecting with friends.

He’ll never experience a world without smartphones or the Internet, and it will be fascinating to witness how his generation interacts with social media as it evolves. When I asked him how he envisioned his future social media experience, he sweetly replied, “I hope to stay connected to my friends forever, and I want to be a cool uncle to my nieces and nephews.” I assured him that he would be.

The Lasting Impact of Social Media

As social media continues to change, it’s essential to remember that once something is shared, it lasts forever. I hope that one day, when he receives a friend request from his old mom, he’ll gladly accept it.

Probable Search Queries

In summary, my conversation with my son revealed his thoughtful views on social media, highlighting his awareness of its impact and his desire to stay connected with friends and family as he grows older.