I understand that my teenagers desire independence and a life distinct from mine. I get it; I’m not exactly the “cool” parent, and they’re not supposed to want to hang out with me. Let’s be honest: I can embarrass them with just a single word, an awkward glance, or a bad hair day.
I try to respect their need for space and privacy, but there comes a point where my patience wears thin. That moment arrived recently when my daughter inquired whether I had seen her brother’s latest Instagram post. I quickly grabbed my phone to check, unsure if she was excited about something sweet he shared or if she was concerned about a troubling photo.
Imagine my disbelief and frustration when, after a frantic search, I discovered that I had been blocked. Absolutely not. This isn’t how things work, my son.
I don’t need to be best friends with my kids. They aren’t obligated to share every detail of their lives with me, and I do my best to avoid hovering too much. However, I firmly believe that they need some oversight in their online activities. Blocking me from their social media is simply not an option.
My son’s reasoning for blocking me was rather misguided. He claimed he did it after I liked 25 of his posts in a matter of minutes one afternoon because I missed him while he was out with friends. How tragic for him that his mother shows affection by liking pictures of him enjoying time with his friends!
Moreover, teenagers often underestimate the complexities of managing their online presence. When they block their parents, they create a larger issue. If they want to own a smartphone, it needs to be a collaborative effort. I should be able to monitor what they’re doing online, as well as keep tabs on their friends. At 14, there’s no way I’m letting my child roam freely on their phone without some level of guidance.
They can enjoy their privacy in their rooms with the door closed—sans phones. It’s almost as if they think blocking us will allow them to escape scrutiny, but in reality, it only raises red flags and makes us more suspicious of their activities.
Thus, instead of pushing away their parents, they might as well let us celebrate their milestones and add all the likes and emojis we want—it’s much easier and saves everyone from unnecessary drama.
My kids may think they can block me at their leisure, but I hold the power to take their phone away and flood their social media with a thousand selfies if they don’t adhere to my guidelines. If they want their own devices, it’s only fair that they share their passwords and keep me connected to their online accounts. After all, I’m the one footing the bill for that phone!
For more insights on parenting and navigating the digital world, check out this informative blog post on fertility and home insemination. You can also refer to this excellent resource for more information on pregnancy and fertility.
Summary
In navigating my teenager’s desire for independence, I encountered a significant hurdle when I was blocked from my son’s social media. While I respect their need for privacy, I also believe in the importance of oversight in their online activities. Blocking me only raises suspicions and complicates communication. Ultimately, my role as a parent involves guiding them through the complexities of social media, even if it means reminding them of the boundaries we should maintain.
Leave a Reply