I deleted my social media a while back and that decision ended up being the best thing I have ever done for my mental health. With all that has been going on in the world I noticed social media seemed to be polarizing diverse societies more than it brought people together and that really troubles me. I want to see vastly different people coming together better and finding common ground. But I still have an interest in how social media works economically, socially, psychologically, etc. because it has become so ubiquitous in our world in such a short time. That is why I heard your story on Jo Piazza’s podcast. It took real courage for you both to talk about this subject because there is nothing more sensitive or upsetting to a parent than their own child’s safety.

Have you listened to the podcast, “Your Undivided Attention” by The Center for Humane Technology? I stumbled upon that podcast recently and I feel like this story is an important topic that you and Jo Piazza could discuss there. Social media has so much promise and potential for good, but it does seem like it became so big so quickly that our society hasn’t had a chance to really talk about balancing the great potential with the risks. How do we use this huge gift of instant communication to make our world a safer place for all?

I was shocked to hear about what happened to you, such a terrifying experience. Being in the public eye such as you are you have to do what is right for you and your family. Sending so much love and support your way. Thanks for all that you do and share for your community.

I relate so much to this.
My hubs got surprisingly somewhat famous for appearing on a tv show ( he never asked to be on) and every time a new season comes out, thousands of strangers track him down on social media and start following him( he never posts) and then many follow me so they can see more photos of him since I post more. When we got pregnant we really didn’t like the idea of sharing our daughter with all these strangers for her privacy and all the reasons that you said. I’ve posted maybe a family photo every 6 months or so or if it doesn’t show her face. That is what we decided we were comfortable with. But all of our family lives out of state and a few grandparents are really tech challenged without an iPhone so i love the the shared iPhoto album but felt like I was Leaving a grandparent out. And add a pandemic where they can’t visit or see her, they needed something…So I have a private Instagram account just for my daughter that is named something random that only family and a few close friends I grew up with can see, like 30 people. I was able to get the tech challenged grandparent on it and allows everyone to see photos and videos of her and comment and feel in the loop with her milestones and those little moments and I have made a nice little time capsule of her first 2 years of life. I think I also take a little comfort in the idea that if I ever lost my phone or something didn’t upload to the cloud, I could have the important moments still on there and get them back. I think it also scratches that itch you mentioned to get that validation and share the joy she brings us. The grandparents understand we don’t want photos of her on Facebook without our permission, which I’m grateful for. Anyways, thanks for sharing. You really nailed the feelings of it on the head, especially us elder Millennials who were coming of age and trained since the beginning of all social media that the more we share the better, and that you have to post it or it didn’t happen…. it’s hard to unlearn that when we’ve been doing it for 1/2 our lives.

I do love how you share your life (and thoughts like this) with us and respect and understand the boundaries you’ve created. ❤️

Hugs,
Jess

It really was such a privilege in many ways to grow up without the internet. I really feel for kids now that have to navigate social media at such a young age.

Me too, I follow a good number of bloggers and I love seeing their kids, but I also understand why some people don’t want to share. It’s certainly something I think a lot more parents are going to be thinking about.

Thanks Erica. I’ve tried to find a healthy balance that respects her privacy and also lets me share bits of my life with her. To your point that is something I think about a lot, as my images are often used without my permission (ALL THE TIME). And it just made me realize if I barely have control over my own images with me in them I certainly don’t want that happening to images with my daughter. Lots to think about. Thank you.