Instagram World and Parenting Choices

I grew up with dial-up internet. My parents had our gigantic PC in the living room, where everyone could see what was happening on Oregon Trail, AOL, and even MySpace.  It was not until I went to college that Facebook was created. I remember someone on my dormitory hall asking me to send an email to “College Facebook” to get our university added to the list of users. Today, my parents are my “closest friends” on Facebook and they are even following my sister-in-law on Instagram to get the newest pictures of my two nephews.

 I read an amazing blog the other day of a parent who made difficult choices with his children and their Instagram and Facebook accounts. Note that I said “accounts” and not “account”. Parents are finding that there are hidden accounts on their childrens’ phones, iPads, and laptops.  Here is a link to a few blogs that can inform you on the internet world that children are growing up in today.  These blogs are worth taking the three minutes to read to get to know what your children are doing on the internet.

 Saying No in an Instagram World

http://www.johnmyeats.com/1/post/2013/04/saying-no-in-an-instagram-world.html

 Parents: A Word About Instagram

http://taylorandsarahbrooks.blogspot.com/2013/04/parents-word-about-instagram.html?spref=tw

 Parents Beware: Instagram & Kik Messenger Are A Dangerous Combination & What Social Dangers to Check For

http://www.hightechdad.com/2012/07/02/parents-beware-instagram-kik-messenger-are-a-dangerous-combination-what-social-dangers-to-check-for/

Parenting was a difficult task without the internet; however, the world we live in today revolves around the internet, smartphones, iPads, and laptops.  Please take the time to have regular conversations with your teens about their lives on social media.  They will thank you in a few years. 

Adam R Glendye MA MFT, LAPC

aglendye@growcounseling.com

404-539-8970

www.growcounseling.com