I wish my kids were still little…
…so I could monetize the hell out of them!
Kidding!! (mostly)
They’re actually pretty lucky they didn’t grow up during this time.
It seems harder than ever for social media parents to maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially when their kids have more access than ever.
We now have the power to share personal moments and experiences with a global audience at the touch of a button.
Many parents use social media platforms as an opportunity to connect with others, share their joys and struggles, and create a sense of community.
As influencers, social media is naturally integrated into our lives. My Instagram stories are basically my daily vlog.
When our lives become so intertwined in the virtual world, it’s essential to take a moment and consider the impact of our social media presence on our kids.
Influencer Parents
Something that’s been getting a lot of attention lately is how social media influencers, especially on YouTube and Instagram, sometimes use their children as “clickbait”, if you will.
It’s become quite a controversial trend in recent years.
Influcener parents might feature their children for a variety of reasons…
- Relatable Content
- Family-Friendly Appeal
- Increased Engagement
- Sharing Parenting Tips
- Monetary Benefits
Some creators may genuinely want to share their family experiences with their audience.
Unfortunately, there are also instances where children are exploited for the sake of generating more views and engagement.
There are plenty of reasons not to overuse your kids on social media.
Psychological Impact: Kids may not fully comprehend the implications of being in the public eye, and exposure to online fame can lead to negative psychological effects.
Safety Risks: Publicly featuring children can expose them to potential safety risks, including unwanted attention, cyberbullying, or even stalkers.
Invasion of Privacy: Children might not have a say in how much of their lives are shared online, and this lack of control over their own privacy can become problematic as they grow older.
Exploitative Monetization: Some influencers may prioritize monetization over the well-being of their children, resulting in questionable content choices or situations that are not in the child’s best interest.
Potential for Overexposure: Constantly featuring children on social media can even lead to overexposure, diminishing the authenticity of content and making it difficult for influencers to transition to other topics.
Ultimately, striking a balance between sharing family experiences and protecting children from exploitation is crucial to maintaining trust with your audience and fostering a positive online environment.
Parenting Kids with Smartphones
Cell phones allow parents to stay in touch with their children, providing a means of communication in case of emergencies or unplanned events.
Having a cell phone can make it easier for parents to coordinate with their children’s schedules, especially for after-school activities.
Smartphones can offer access to educational apps and resources, providing opportunities for learning and skill development.
Owning a cell phone can teach children about responsibility, as they learn to take care of their device and manage its usage.
Children can use cell phones to stay in touch with family and friends, fostering social connections and reducing feelings of isolation.
Despite all the reasons children should have cell phones, the rapid growth in popularity of smartphones has some major negative effects.
- Exposure to Inappropriate Content
- Cyberbullying and Online Safety
- Screen Time Overuse
- Social Skills and Communication
- Academic Distractions
- Financial Costs
Of course, potential addiction has been at the forefront of this public discussion. Early exposure to digital devices may contribute to technology dependency and even addiction.
For those of us who live in the real world, disallowing children to have cell phones is not a sustainable solution.
And many of us who are also social media influencers want to share (small bits & pieces of) all aspects of our life with our audience.
The key is finding, and maintaining a work-life balance.
Find Your Balance
Maintain Boundaries
- Set specific hours for social media engagement and content creation
- Limit overall screen time for both yourself and your children to encourage more quality time together
- Designate certain days “social media-free” to give yourself and your family a break
- Engage in real-life activities like outdoor play and family outings or hobbies
Prioritize Family Privacy
- Be selective about what aspects of your family life you share online
- Consider the long-term impact of sharing certain personal moments
- Prioritize your family’s privacy and well-being over potential clickbait content
Create Away From the Kids
- Create your own space and produce content in a controlled environment
- Whenever possible, plan and create content during periods when your children are not present
- Diversify your content to include topics beyond your family life
Obtain Consent from Children
- Obtain their consent before posting pictures or videos of them
- Respect their preferences
- Involve your kids in the decision-making process
Educate Your Audience
- Set expectations about your family’s boundaries and reasons for limiting kid-related content
- Encourage understanding and respect for your choices
Educate Yourself
- Stay informed about online safety measures and potential risks associated with social media
- Implement appropriate security measures to protect your family’s online presence
Hot tip: To maintain privacy, some influencers use fictional characters or symbols to represent their children in their content. This allows them to share family experiences without directly exposing their children’s identities.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance and protecting children from overexposure on social media can be challenging for parents who are also social media influencers.
However, with mindful strategies and conscious decision-making, it is possible to strike a balance between the two.
Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to navigating the complexities of social media as influencer parents.
But if we tread carefully in the digital world, we get to enjoy sharing personal moments with our online community while still keeping our family safe and their journey private.
Sean Cannell and I share our real feelings about parenting as an influencer on episode #709 of Build Your Tribe. Check it out to see if you agree with our sometimes controversial take.
Here’s why you want to listen to episode #709 – Work-Life Balance | Hustle, Family & Social Media with Chalene Johnson & Sean Cannell…
- Honest and candid discussion on the critical topic of social media’s effects on mental health, family, parenting, and more!
- Deep dive into the negative impacts of social media on mental well-being, including burnout, and explore concerns surrounding parents exploiting their children for profit on social platforms.
- Explore the trend of apology videos, the pressure to appear perfect, and the glamorization of the hustle grind over parenting choices.
- Valuable insights on managing social media use and avoiding extremes in various aspects of life.
- Practical advice for maintaining balance and staying level-headed.
Check out the following links for more tips on maintaining a healthy work-life balance…
TCS #681 – Is Work-Life Balance a Myth? | with Megan Hyatt Miller
TCS #486 – Is Mega Success & Work-Life Balance a Myth? | with Quest Co-Founder Lisa Bilyeu
