In the enlightening work STFU, Parents, author Blair Koenig dissects the often outrageous and self-absorbed phenomenon of parental oversharing on social media platforms. From cringe-inducing attempts at humor to competitive displays of parenting victories and failures, Koenig scrutinizes the status updates that make us question what some parents are thinking. In this segment, we delve into the cringe-worthy ways parents of teenagers continue to overshare about their kids online.
While most of the oversharing we see tends to revolve around babies and toddlers, thanks to the predominantly younger demographics of those parents, there are still plenty of older parents who can’t resist the urge to divulge personal details about their teens. It’s no longer just about diaper changes and first steps; now, the conversation shifts to more delicate topics like puberty and personal development.
For those who’ve crossed the threshold of adolescence, you can imagine the cringe that accompanies seeing updates about your first period or your brother’s budding facial hair. If only these teens could know that the awkwardness of growth is a universal experience. I mean, it’s not like my mom took out a billboard to announce, “Jessica’s First Period! She’s officially a woman!” when I was in seventh grade. That would have been beyond embarrassing!
Instead, we have parents like Rachel, who can’t resist announcing her son’s latest milestone: “OMG, Noah is so thrilled to discover his first chin hair at eleven! He’s going to have a beard just like Dad before summer break!” While Rachel might think she’s being cute, there’s an unspoken rule here—discussing a teen’s body hair is off-limits. Just because Noah feels comfortable enough to mention his armpit hair doesn’t mean he wants that information broadcasted to the world. Come on, Rachel, let the kid have his dignity!
And then there’s Patricia, who boasts about how her son has no qualms discussing his showering habits with her. Well, not anymore he won’t! Do these parents not realize that their teens—and their friends—have their own social media accounts? Trust me, sharing your child’s private moments online is much worse than posting those baby photos. It’s a slippery slope that can lead to unforeseen consequences.
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In summary, while parental sharing is commonplace, there are lines that shouldn’t be crossed, especially when it comes to the private lives of teenagers. The internet is forever, and parents need to remember that discretion is key. Oversharing does not equate to bonding; let’s keep some things private!
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