Friday, August 09, 2013

Social Media and Parenting woes

Facebook Parenting is destroying our child's privacy - I read this article few days back, and it almost echoes my own concerns about rampant use of social media in general, and Facebook in particular, for sharing personal information. I have written about it in my post titled 'How Much Should We Share' earlier. 

I wouldn't say I haven't done it myself before. In the beginning I was extremely cautious of what I share on internet but later on, after I got used to the social media platforms and more importantly, when I saw others sharing their personal photographs and details, I considered it OK too. 

But being a parent is a different ball game altogether. You start looking at things differently. You start questioning your every move, about its implications on your child. 
Image courtesy: digitaltrends.com


When I see so many mommy bloggers around, sharing such beautiful moments with pictures on their blogs; I feel like doing it too. But I resist. I have a physical diary, to similar effect. When I discussed with my husband, if I should write a mommy blog too; he convinced me that a physical diary in my own handwriting will be much more precious for my child to have later on. 

Here are a few reasons why I don't support putting up excessive information or photographs of our children on the internet [or any platforms for that matter]:
  • I don't want to put my child's life out there in public domain. Sharing embarrassing situations are definitely a no-no, but I am much more cautious beyond that, in the amount of information I am posting on the internet. Because as the article also says, once you have put some information online, it stays forever. It is not so simple as deleting a post. If you need a proof, go and Google your images. You will find a lot images which you have deleted from your profiles.
  • I don't know how my child is going to turn out. He may become an introvert. In that case, will he like me sharing every piece of his life to public? I want to protect that right of my child to decide what kind of information he wants to share with the public. Who am I to decide?
  • And most importantly, what I find most disturbing is: "Children grow up learning that posting pictures of one's self and sharing personal information is typical. We've created a sense of normality about a world where what's private is public. The sense of being entitled to privacy has been devalued." [text in inverted commas quoted from the article]
Having said that, I am not going to keep my child away from internet. In fact, I plan to introduce him to blogging as soon as possible. If used wisely, it is an excellent medium to express without being judged. What more can a child ask for!

8 comments:

  1. Good observation. Once you’re a mom, your way of thinking & perceiving things surly takes a u-turn. Am sure mine is going to be the same as soon i enter motherhood phase. Before I was bit reluctant to post pics on blog as it’s an open platform, but saw bloggers are doing it without inhibition. So uploaded few relevant ones. Hope I wont feel sorry later-on.

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    1. May be you look at the pictures at a third person's perspective. You can choose to keep too personal or embarrassing pictures out of online platforms. In the long run, I think it is prudent. It is easy to get sucked into this fascinating world.

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  2. I am a 21 year old boh an will support what your opinion... I would have felt very much embarrassed had my mom posted such pictures of ny childhood many years back :)

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    1. Ha ha ha so I am not that wrong. By the way, I hopped on to your site and it is fascinating. Thank you for dropping by :)

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    2. Thanks a lot :) I am glad you liked it :)

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  3. Anonymous5:26 AM

    Exactly my thoughts. Had a similar post here: http://ashscerebrations.com/2013/06/20/how-safe-is-it/

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    1. We have similar thoughts on this one :-) and I am happy that I am not the only freak ha ha

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  4. very apt points Reema... I completely agree with you when you say that it is upto your child to decide what should be shared and what not...

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