In her book, STFU, Parents, blogger Blair Koenig offers a sharp critique of the “jaw-dropping, self-indulgent, and occasionally rage-inducing world of parental overshare” on social media platforms like Facebook. From cringeworthy attempts at humor to competitive storytelling where parents vie to showcase their successes and failures, Koenig scrutinizes every status update. This excerpt particularly highlights the ways in which parents of teenagers often overstep boundaries with their online sharing.
While much of the oversharing on social media tends to revolve around babies and toddlers—thanks to the predominance of parents with younger children—there are still plenty of parents with teens who feel compelled to share every detail. And if you’re older than eleven, you can probably imagine the types of things they post.
Now, the focus shifts to topics like girls getting their periods and boys experiencing changes in their bodies. Fortunately, fewer parents discuss these moments in public forums, as their teens are mature enough to have their own social media accounts and read those updates first-hand. For those unlucky teens whose parents do share such personal stories, it would be comforting to know that everyone goes through similar experiences. I can’t help but think how mortifying it would have been if my mother had publicly announced, “Kathy’s First Period!!!! She’s officially a woman now!!!!”
Imagine the embarrassment! Yet, some parents still feel the need to share every milestone, no matter how awkward. Take for instance the case of Timmy, who has just discovered the joys of growing facial hair. His mother, Lisa, excitedly proclaims, “Timmy is thrilled to see his first chin hair! He can’t wait to rock a full beard just like Grandpa!” While she likely thinks she’s being playful, she’s ignoring the unwritten rule regarding discussions of body hair during adolescence—one that clearly states it’s a no-go.
Then we have Sarah, who proudly shares how her son openly discusses his “shower habits” with her. Well, not for long, Sarah! Do parents really forget that their kids have friends with social media profiles too? Discussing a teen’s private habits online is far worse than sharing photos from their baby days. This is how revolutions start.
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In summary, while some parents of teens may still indulge in oversharing, it’s crucial to recognize the boundaries of privacy. The teenage years are sensitive, and discussing personal matters publicly can lead to unnecessary embarrassment.