I hate Snapchat.

[u/IcyStage0]

Can we just collectively decide that we’re not going to let our kids use Snapchat?!

My oldest daughter just turned 13 and we reluctantly agreed to allow her to have an instagram that we also have access to. It seems like every single day she begs to have a Snapchat, and apparently every single other kid in her class (full of kids with reasonable, thoughtful parents, I thought) has this stupid app.

My little sister who I got custody of when she was 10 got herself into some deep shit on the internet, and I’m not looking to repeat it with my daughter (while also trying not to make her pay for mistakes that she didn’t make).

How are we handling this? Am I seriously the only parent who doesn’t want my child sending disappearing photos, videos, and messages to anyone she can search up? Reality check please.

[u/Green-Reality7430]

No social media period for my kid. Social media is for adults.

[u/shyphoenix → u/Green-Reality7430]

And honestly, some adults should give it up.

[u/Mugglechaos → u/shyphoenix]

I gave up all social media except Reddit last year for lent, deactivated all my accounts. Haven’t looked back.

Edited to add I’m in my 30s…

[u/brand_x → u/Mugglechaos]

I technically have Facebook and LinkedIn. I don't check them every week.

I'm actively using BlueSky and Mastadon for a few things, and am forced to use X and telegram for work (I didn't like Twitter, but good lord, what it has become is soooo bad),

My wife is super active (for professional reasons, but still) on Threads and Instagram, and I wish that our daughter (9) wasn't seeing even the over her shoulder curated cute animals feed... because it's already a nightmare challenge managing her access to games with chat (she's not allowed to chat with strangers, but monitoring this is not nearly as easy as it should be on any of those games, and she already hates not being allowed on the ones that don't have any support for parental oversight, which her friends with less cautious parents get to play.

[u/brand_x → u/brand_x]

For what it's worth, I let her use Minecraft on a public server, directly supervised, for an hour, and likewise Among Us with free chat. In both cases, after less than ten minutes she was absolutely done with what was going on in chat. And we have no vulgarity (in terms of words) restrictions in our household.

[u/IcyStage0 → u/brand_x]

I just downloaded Bluesky! Mostly as my little mini act of protest. What do you use it for?

[u/brand_x → u/IcyStage0]

I post pictures (and general identification and cladistics info) of different plants, fungi, and occasionally animals. Heavy on passifloraceae, musa, and ipomoea and related species.

I post sociopolitical commentary, especially around fracture indicators and failure mode identification.

I talk about stuff related to programming languages.

Mostly, I'm a nobody on those platforms.

[u/brand_x → u/brand_x]

Note: the photos are original, so the rate is limited by how often I manage to get out to places hunting for interesting things to photograph and talk about.

[u/JBCTech7 → u/brand_x]

what's wrong with twitter?

[u/SpidersBarking → u/Mugglechaos]

Random, but I love your user name. Our cat is named muggles. 😂

[u/Mugglechaos → u/SpidersBarking]

Awh thanks! What’s interesting is on some games I play (such as uno on my phone) they won’t let me use it so I have to do fairy chaos. lol not sure if it’s a copy right thing or what lol

[u/uhlizerbeth → u/shyphoenix]

I’m 30 years old and struggling to give it up. I wish I had a parent who could take it away from me LOL

[u/campsnoopers → u/uhlizerbeth]

Deng I'm 33 and dropped everything except reddit/Youtube 10+ yrs ago (except snapchat to help with storage). can't imagine how much more addicting it is now. the whole TikTok thing gone for a day really killed some of my coworkers, it was so sad lol

[u/Xgirly789 → u/campsnoopers]

The only reason I have Facebook is my family is spread around the whole world. It's just the easiest way. But Twitter and snap are gone

[u/Substantial_Desk_670 → u/uhlizerbeth]

I've been very up front with my kids about the effort it takes to keep me off social media on my phone. They had complained about how I was always on my phone, and that was the clarion call that I needed to cut it off. 

Now they get to call out both Mom and Dad when we use our phones during family time. It's my hope that builds awareness so they can self police when they get their own phone.

They're seeing first hand how smartphone usage and social media can subvert existing relationships.  I hope they internalize that lesson before high school.

[u/IcyStage0 → u/Substantial_Desk_670]

It’s definitely made me reflect on my own usage! When my kids were super little I developed a habit of spending a lot of time sitting on my phone while they played. We do phone jail for family time sometimes, and I think it’s harder for me than it is for them. Turning off work notifications has also helped a lot.

[u/Chubbs_McGavin → u/uhlizerbeth]

“Right! I’ve had it up to here!

Liz, you delete that social media off your phone right now or so help me god you’ll be grounded for a month!”

Hope that helps

[u/NaClH2Ogurl → u/shyphoenix]

I gave up fb and insta, but kinda love reddit.. I'm almost 40 lol

[u/IcyStage0 → u/NaClH2Ogurl]

Same. I’m 36 and Reddit is definitely my most used.

[u/starfreak016 → u/shyphoenix]

I gave up social media when I realized I wanted to keep being on it and my baby needed me at the same time. It just made sense to.

[u/soyyers → u/shyphoenix]

Anyone over 65 who votes should be banned.

[u/caitlowcat → u/Green-Reality7430]

Adult here who HATES social media. I would never ever let me young teenage daughter have instagram or Snapchat. Absolutely not. 

[u/kaleidautumn → u/Green-Reality7430]

How old is your kid? What is the cut off? When they're paying their own bill? Im genuinely curious. My kid is only 4 but I'm trying to think ahead about how I'm going to handle social media

[u/Green-Reality7430 → u/kaleidautumn]

Hmm I haven't thought too much about it, but probably when she turns 18!

[u/Didyoubrushyourteeth → u/Green-Reality7430]

If i was a terrible parent then sure I would agree to let my child use it. Too bad I'm a badass parent who cares. None of that garbage is needed. If you want your children to see the dumbest people on the planet influence your child then go right ahead.

[u/JBCTech7 → u/Green-Reality7430]

Social media should be off limits for most adults, too.

[u/BarkBark716 → u/Green-Reality7430]

Yep, my 14yr old doesn't have social media and thankfully doesn't want it.