Concerning Kids – Why the influence of parents is greater than that of social media
A father prepares to fly a kite with his son at Can Pere Antoni Beach in Palma de Mallorca. Photo AFP, Jaime Reina
Christian Life
The new generations of kids are born into the digital world. Their ability to find and use information is abnormal. Therefore, in many questions kids and teenagers have their own way to sort out their own questions. Parents, be aware and come up with answers before the internet does!
Before internet era, all people had only one source of information – their parents and family. Nowadays, kids google their questions and come to their own conclusions. That is why many parents feel powerless regarding the influence.
However, the pre-covid Global Youth Culture Research came up with unexpected results, when asking teenagers about the influences and guiding voices in their lives.
Teens say family is their go-to for guidance on some of life’s most important questions such as what is right and wrong and the meaning of life. Meaning of life conversations happen in 41 per cent of all cases in family settings, and 20 per cent on social media. Right and wrong conversations happen in 50 per cent of the cases in family settings, and in 16 per cent with friends and peers, and in 14 per cent on social media.
Voice
That is a great tendency, as it proves that parents still are the important voices for teens, even if they might not feel so. Teens fight all the rules, the words, ignore adults, but at the same time they do listen. Family had the top place for influence.
Social media and friends are teens’ top influences when it comes to conversations about gender and sexuality. Somehow, family loses its ground in the area of sexuality. Why is that?
In many communities and families, questions about gender and sexuality are treated as a taboo. The older generation might feel too embarrassed to talk about sexuality, or the parents might expect the school to teach kids these questions. How often do our kids ask us about sexuality? Do they even feel free to ask such questions or do they feel too embarrassed? How well do you react when you hear such questions?
Unfortunately, TikTok influencers show no shame when teaching their perspective regarding sex. YouTube, TikTok, other social media functions as “life teachers” when it comes to sexuality.
Conversations
I remember my family conversations about “hot issues”, and I am so thankful to my parents, that we had no taboo questions. I could ask about anything and my parents would do their best to answer. Moreover, when I still did not dare to ask some questions, my parents would initiate the conversation and raise topics, that I was interested in. I believe that those hard conversations saved me from the potential risk of “exploring it” myself. That veil of mystery was gone, and I heard a clear teaching on it.
I fought it, I argued, but I still listened to my parents. And many years later I still hear their voices in my head, they became my guidelines.
My prayer is for God to give you the wisdom, the boldness and lots of patience when you talk to your teens. You might feel that the battle is lost, but don’t rely on your feelings. Fight to be a loving and present parent for your kid.
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