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Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), TikTok, Instagram, and many other host of social media platforms have revolutionized the way information is not only disseminated but also consumed. With social media, the very boundaries that limit human interaction have completely faded away.
Events happening in far-away countries could easily become trending topics in another location with conversations and opinions formed from such events. Overall, the impact of social media in shaping public opinion over the years has been huge. But as a global tool fostering social conversations, it also presents a serious concern as the obsessive influence of virtual interactions and digital communities can have a negative impact if not properly managed.
Parenting in this digitally exposed generation presents unprepared challenges more so in Black homes where raising a child can be quite demanding and constantly met with stiffer resistance especially when children are exposed to a virtual world where everyone can do as they please while enjoying the obsessive likes and clicks that hold more attraction than accountability.
Adding this to the counter-narrative of the mainstream media representations of the family structure, it becomes quite an arduous task for Black parents to guide their children through the numerous minefields.
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What Should Black Parents Do?
Parenting remains an intentional act more so in a world where digital interactions are now part of everyday occurrence. Black parents must first understand that their first and primary duty is chiefly to be a parent to their young children, guiding them through every stage of their growth and development.
As a Black parent, and one who has passed through the very stage of your child’s current life experience, you are well aware of the many potentially poor decisions that a child can make and how such decisions can cause irreparable damage to their future.
Such awareness can be deepened by taking time to understand how the social-media-influenced society operates. Learn what platform your children visit, and understand the apps your children use, so that as a black parent, you can better guide your children on ways to navigate away from harmful platforms and apps to beneficial ones. By showing them how intentional they can be in seeking more beneficial content, they can navigate to platforms that align with their values.
Another way Black parents can guide their children is through the imposition of boundaries and restrictions on phone usage or devices. Boundaries such as “no use of phones on the dinner table, no use of phones when carrying out household chores, no use of phones or computers at certain times of the day” can go a long way to help your children relieve the pressures of a device-obsessed society. Black parents can also go on short walks, or visit the malls with their children while leaving every device back at home. Such moments create opportunities for personal me time for both parent and child without the needless distraction of these digital devices.
Furthermore, in setting boundaries, many child-restrictive apps exist and can be used to restrict a child’s exposure to unhealthy content online. While availing access to devices can aid in the mental development of a child, it is important to purchase devices that offer parental guidance restrictions which can help in restricting the child’s exposure to harmful and non-beneficial content.
Also, Black parents can leverage their experience and exposure to help their young teens navigate the world of social media by not only teaching and showing them life-beneficial values but also referring them to platforms that align with such values.
Help them make intentional choices of the contents they expose themselves to and consume and how the likes and clicks are ephemeral and hold no significant impact on how they perceive themselves or believe the world perceives them.
The Social-media-influenced society can have a positive or negative effect on a child’s development if not properly managed.
As a Black parent, it is important to not only understand how social media works but to pay keen attention to who and what your children are being exposed to on the digital platform so that your kids can leverage the positive opportunities for their continuous growth and development.
Okechukwu Nzeribe works with the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, in Anambra State, Nigeria, and loves unveiling the richness of African cultures. okechukwu.onicima@gmail.com.
