The Day I Took Over My Teenager’s Social Media

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As a mommy blogger I like to think that I am in the know when it comes to all forms of social media. I personally own three Instagram accounts for various audiences, all things fashion, beauty, and momlife. If anyone in our house is guilty of being on their phone way too much it’s probably me.

I like to excuse this behavior to my family because I use social media as a business tool. Regardless, to the kids my phone is glued to my hand, and my face glued to the screen. So, me being highly annoyed when my teenager has mirror image behavior is hypocritical~ish. Teenager life snuck up on me in an instant!  My teen is highly motivated, active, has good grades, and makes friends easily; so  I became overly confident that because of these awesome traits, it automatically meant she knew how navigate the social media realm with ease… Pump the brakes! I was wrong!

teenager's social media

I use to think my husband and I did a decent job at this. Oh wait: Instagram direct messaging, Snap Chat streaks, Musically, Snap Chat instant messaging, House Party app. Am I speaking a foreign language to you? It was foreign to me! No wonder every phone check comes with ease. My teen knew I was only checking text, photos and emails while all the real communication was going on behind the scenes, where they’re connecting with like-minded teens who speak each other’s language. 

Naturally I took it upon myself to learn her language and teach her a lesson.  I confiscated her phone, posted on every social media outlet she uses, read every message and snap that came in over a 12 hour period. Was this a parental power play? Yes. The lesson take away is the importance of balance, internet safety, boundaries, and to put the phone down sometimes and just be a kid.

Teenager’s Social Media Takeover 101:

1– Post a selfie of you and your child on their Instagram feed.

2– Caption with your purpose.

It’s a Insta takeover today! I’m here to share with all you teens trying to navigate into adulthood to PAUSE. Go outside, read a great book, grab some of your friends and go volunteer in your community. Keep in mind  that so long as I’m providing cell service, chauffeuring and paying for way too much Chipotle, every message, snap, streak, text, and video sent I’m watching, reading, and paying attention to.

3– Snap Chat photos of Mom life all day: making lunches, doing laundry, paying for Starbucks. 

4– Prepare yourself to have a very upset teenager for the day, as their life line has been removed and taken over by you.

5– Sit down and chat with your teenager after the shock and embarrassment has worn off. At the end of this social experiment I feel very confident that my teen knows we are a team in this so called life. We’re not friends but I’m also not on the outside looking in.

How do you mange your teenager’s social media and phone use?  I’d love to hear from you!

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