I often find myself wondering how to find a balance between
the pressures of technology and ensuring my kids are staying
‘relevant’ in today’s world. I do not want my children to have
the latest videogame or phone or even be involved in social
media just because their friends have it. I want my kids to
ride their bikes, play with friends and talk to me (no, not via
text message from the next room). I also do not want to be
‘that mom’. We all know who she is. The one who is strict and
thinks that if her kid stays out 5 minutes past curfew that her
child will turn into a pumpkin, or worse! A mom that may not
appear to have faith in the judgments and common sense
that she instills in her children. Yes, that mom. Oddly enough,
I think I am that mom. Reflecting back to when I was 13 years
old, I spoke to my friends at school or on the phone. Heck,
if I had pictures to share, I would bring my photo album
along with me. Yes it is true technology has grown on me. I
must admit I use social media to share photos, reach out to
friends, make new ones etc., guilty as charged. This however,
is not about me. This is about my teenage daughter. A girl
vulnerable to the, how shall I say, INTERNET. A mere child
to me (superwoman to her) who I want to keep safe from
such things as cyber bullying, predators and other horrific
online monsters. Let’s be real, a teen? Why does a teen need
social media? Why can’t she call her friends on the phone
as I did? Speak to them at school? My daughter, in her
last year of middle school, may be the only kid in her class
that is not involved in social media. Is that so wrong? After
careful consideration, I think it is. The Internet has become
the online photo album and telephone. Really, who opens
their wallet to show off their children these days? We all
flash our phones and scroll through the photos. That online
bully is the same bully she would otherwise face at school.
That online predator could just as easily be lurking around
the bend. I cannot protect my daughter from the outside
or the online worlds. I can only teach her to be properly armed.
I can teach her to find that balance when using technology
and staying ‘relevant’. I can teach her what to look out for,
what to report and how to be safe. No different than how to
cross a street, use a knife, or even cook. What do change
and grow are technology and its demands, personal or
otherwise, to be relevant. What does not change, is me trying
to be the best parent and protect my children from anything
that can cause them hurt or harm. If that makes me ‘that
mom,’ then I gracefully accept.
