While driving with my daughter the other day, I noticed her making a series of strange gestures. Curiously peeking over, I saw her snapping countless selfies with various expressions. When I asked what she was up to, she said, “I’m working on my streaks.”
Relieved to find out she wasn’t talking about running naked through a crowd, I quickly grasped that this was just one of those social media phenomena that seem to consume our teens and, at times, drive parents to distraction. After a brief explanation from her about Snapchat streaks, I caught up. If I understood correctly, Snapchat streaks require kids to send daily photos of their activities to friends—essentially anyone they’ve ever met or hope to meet. If they miss a day due to illness, a Wi-Fi hiccup, or, heaven forbid, a loss of their thumbs, the streak ends, and supposedly, so does their social life.
What struck me was the thought that millions of kids worldwide were engaged in the exact same routine. The pressure to constantly showcase cheerful selfies genuinely disturbed me. I felt this warranted a discussion over wine with friends during a recent girls’ night. I anticipated solidarity in my concerns about our kids’ social media habits.
To my surprise, both of my friends were active on Snapchat. One of them even admitted to maintaining her daughter’s streaks while the child was at camp and away from her phone. I was taken aback. While I admired my friend’s commitment, it was ironic that she sent her daughter off to unplug for a week yet kept her virtually connected the whole time.
For me, the crux of the issue lies in the relentless need to project a happy facade. This isn’t true life. I worry that the distinction between the curated online persona and reality may blur for these kids. The pressure to maintain a false image can be a treacherous path, especially for impressionable teens.
I enjoy my smartphone as much as anyone. I love browsing countless chocolate chip cookie recipes on Pinterest and chuckling at witty memes on Instagram. I’ve even indulged in humble brags on Facebook myself. It’s become the norm. However, I can’t accept the unending stream of social media that presents kids as perfect, Stepford-like versions of themselves. Where does that lead? Will they hesitate to reach out for help because they fear revealing that they’re not always happy?
Ultimately, I want my children to understand that it’s okay not to be okay sometimes. While I genuinely hope they experience happiness, they also need to learn how to cope with life’s inevitable challenges.
A recent car ride with my daughter led to an open conversation about this very issue. I recognize that changing her social media habits drastically might be unrealistic. However, we talked candidly about the importance of being genuine and reaching out to friends about their struggles and listening to each other’s concerns.
I hope my daughter comes to realize that, despite the curated images she sees and shares on Snapchat daily, it’s not real life. Life encompasses both ups and downs—not just filtered smiles and sunshine. I know she’ll continue her cheerful streaks, but I’ll always be there to remind her of reality and the importance of authenticity.
For more on parenting, check out our other blog posts, such as this one on home insemination kits from Make a Mom and a valuable resource from the CDC about pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
This article explores the pressures of social media on children, particularly focusing on how platforms like Snapchat create an environment where they feel compelled to maintain a facade of happiness. Through personal anecdotes and conversations with friends, the author stresses the importance of authenticity and coping with life’s ups and downs.