It’s often the case that children are more tech-savvy than their parents and teachers. Growing up alongside smartphones and the internet means that many of the recent emergences in technology are second nature to teens today. We encourage parents to discuss some of the issues brought up in this New York Times article, as more and more one’s concept of reality and sense of self worth is susceptible to influence from social media. The hunger for ‘likes’ can cause teens to act far beyond the parameters of their beliefs and values. The misleading illusion of privacy can cause reckless behavior, potentially damaging to the self and others. We want to be clear that we do not condone spying on your children. These issues are better handled if we can create an open line of dialogue. Articles like this one can be illuminating and helpful in directing such a discussion. As Ana Homayoun writes, “Adults need to shift the conversation around teens’ social media use away from a fear of getting caught and more toward healthy socialization, effective self-regulation, and overall safety.”
