Every time I see videos appear or on my social network streams of parents shaming their children online for some wrongdoing I can’t help but wonder, what is the point?
From the case of a dad a few years ago shooting his daughter’s laptop to a mother demeaning her daughter who posted provocative images online, it seems posting these occurrences has become the trendy thing to do.
As I watched some of these videos, I couldn't help but feel sad for these kids. It may just be me, but I do not get the idea of disciplining or shaming kids via social media. I consider it a despicable act and do not see the point in taking such an action.
As parents, we have control over what we allow our kids to do and not to do online. It is our job to show them proper online etiquette. And the consequences to inappropriate or poor behavior should not be humiliation or public shaming.
Don’t get me wrong, I get the need to deter bad behavior from being repeated. But there is a better way to handle a sensitive situation than to put their face in front of a social platform.
Kids should not be put on public display especially by their parents for everyone with access to the Internet to judge them on their behavior. I honestly do not see the valuable lesson this humiliation is teaching them as their actions go viral.
I wonder, what lessons or example of proper online etiquette is being set by the parents with these actions?
As a parent, I would never, ever choose to humiliate my child via the Internet. Whatever issue I have with my kids will be handled in the privacy of my home.
Because as their parents, and role models, it is our job to love, protect and teach them how to conduct themselves both on and offline.
Kids will make mistakes, as we did at their age, and yes, there should be consequences to poor choices, but is this the answer?
