Growing Up In Public

     When I was a child social media was not even envisioned. Pictures were taken with cameras and shared in person or by mail. Recipients were usually relatives. A total humiliation was having a parent show a cool friend or love interest a bare bottom baby picture. We may have thought we didn't have enough privacy, but we had nothing to complain about compared to today's kids. In Growing Up in Public Devorah Heitner, PhD, clues parents in on the virtual world they inhabit. 

     Heitner knows that parents have major concerns about their offspring having access to social media. They might post something embarrassing that would blow the child's or family's carefully curated image. They could  post something that gets them canceled, in trouble with their school or law enforcement, and, further down the road, denied admission to a good college or a job they have their ❤️ set on. And what about those adult predators who pretend to be peers in able to use and harm them.

     Heitner doesn't pretend these worst case scenarios never happen. They do, although to a much lesser extent than parents are led to believe. She gets why many parents try to make sure incidents never happen by instilling fear of consequences and clamping down on access.

     But she doesn't recommend those tactics. As they grow up kids are learning who they are and what they stand for. Rather than focusing on keeping them out of trouble she thinks parents would do best to help kids develop character, become their authentic selves, and really understand concepts such as boundaries and consent. 

     And she also candidly discusses the many ways in which the parent(s) can be the problem such as oversharing on a parenting blog. 

     I'd recommend Growing Up in Public to parents and professionals who have concerns about children and teens and social media. It's comprehensive and well organized. And it makes a nice balance between theory and narrative. 

On a purrrsonal note, last weekend was awesome. Friday Eugene took me to the fireworks in Old Town. They were spectacular!!! Saturday was UMaine's Friends and Family weekend. It was well attended and enjoyed by human and canine guests and their student hosts. I volunteered mostly greeting people and answering questions, petting dogs, and helping my chums, Kevin and Gwen, with the student wellness table. Volunteers were treated to lunch and snacks. And I was given a food truck voucher which I spent on ice cream 🍦.

A great big shout out goes out to all participants in Saturday's event and, of course, my one and only Eugene. 

Jules Hathaway 

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