When did parenting become a circus act? This notion of flaunting children on social media as if they are participants in some personal reality show seems to be gaining worrying traction. People have taken to their social media accounts, not just once, but repeatedly showcasing their children in a manner that appears more about their own self-promotion than anything else. It’s like watching a train wreck where the main casualty is the idea of respectful and private parenting.
In what could be mistaken for scenes from a new dad-themed sitcom, some individuals present emotional monologues about the profound love they feel. Yet, for all the sentimentality, there is something missing – basic parenting responsibility. Instead of cradling their newborn’s head, they’re busy cradling their phones, intent on capturing those likes and hearts online. One might find it more impressive if they were as concerned with supporting their child’s neck as they are with supporting their social media profiles.
While parents coo over their children’s supposed perfection, the expressions on the children’s faces tell another story. Confusion and worry seem to weigh on these infants’ delicate features as they are shuffled from one photo op to another. Their wide-eyed stares speak volumes, crying out for attention that isn’t mediated through a smartphone lens. These children are not props for publicity, yet that’s precisely how they are being treated in this digital zoo.
What we are witnessing is a far cry from a return to family values and more like a public relations campaign gone awry. The relentless preening on social media might make great fodder for followers, but it misses the mark on what it means to truly raise a family with love and attention. There’s a valuable lesson here for all parents: parental love is not something that needs to be announced or performed, but something that should be quietly demonstrated in the privacy of one’s home.
This display is part of a growing trend where personal boundaries are blurred under the guise of sharing and openness. Let’s call it what it is: a misguided attempt at fame where the authentic needs of children are sacrificed for a moment in the digital spotlight. One can only hope that these parents soon realize that the most important audience they need to impress is not online. Instead, it’s the little ones they’re responsible for in the real world.
