Dear Mommy Bloggers: Your Kid Might be Burnt Out from all the Photo Taking

Dear Mommy Bloggers:

As a mom, I’ve come to learn something about kids and taking photos. As of this post, my kid is a sophomore in college (December 2022), and I remember when my kid started getting tired of getting their pic taken. However, it wasn’t the act of the pic being taken that was the the issue. And certainly it wasn’t because Angel hit their teens.

Angel would turn away, and still does even today. It was a bit upsetting for me, but I was curious and asked. Angel felt a bit embarrassed and just didn’t want to be posted online so much. In fact, the last time a pic of Angel was up on Facebook, was for Angel’s senior Rock 101 band, and Angel was holding a bass guitar and looking cool “AF”. I ask Angel if I can take a pic and depending if I will post it on social media or not, Angel will tell me yes or no (more often it’s usually ‘no’…lol).

It was because they didn’t want their pic posted so much on social media websites.

Dear Mommy Bloggers: Your Kid Might be Burnt Out from all the Photo Taking

Now, I’ve seen some kids get tired of their pic being posted. It’s all over the photo – the facial expression and overall body language say that they really aren’t wanting to be in the situation.

I’m not here to tell other moms (and dads) how often you should post your children’s pics online, but here are some things to think about:

• How often are you posting photos of them?
• What is the content or topic of the photo?
• Are you posting pics of your children in a somewhat safe environment?
• Did you ask your kid if it was okay, or how they feel about you posting the pic?
• Have you made content creation important over your family?

How often are you posting photos of them?

If you’re taking pics and posting every day, think whether or not it’s absolutely necessary to always include your child in them. You may find that you can produce better content with other things. If you’re not sure what you should be doing, then look at what influencers are doing.

What is the content or topic of the photo?

Your children may not be on board with every situation you set up for pics. They may not want to go out all of the time, and yes, that even means sometimes reeling back on those Disney trips dedicated to content creation. If you are a Disney brand rep, you really don’t need to provide content all that often unless you are super aggressive with accepting money making opportunities.

Maybe go by yourself sometimes, if the kids aren’t feeling it. Kids need to decompress sometimes too.

Are you posting pics of your children in a somewhat safe environment?

Your kids might be seeing what you’re posting and not like how you’re doing it. They also might see the comments people leave and get uncomfortable, even feeling like they’re living in a fish bowl. Make sure you’re dressing your kids appropriately, as internet predators are a real and scary deal. Some of those likes may be from one.

There are well over 500,000 internet predators every day that are potentially a threat to children. Over 77% of internet predators target children between 14 and 17, and 22% from 10 to 13 years old.

You have a duty to protect them. Unfortunately, sometimes not thinking about it before creating content with your children could prove harmful. That being said, if your child has their own social media accounts, you should be monitoring them.

Did you ask your kid if it was okay, or how they feel about you posting the pic?

You may be the parent and feel it’s your right to show your pics of your children to everyone. I know, you’re proud of them, and they’re cute, but how do they feel? Did you ask them? It’s time to start asking them, and while it might be a little upsetting, you will need to accept it.

Your child deserves a say in how images or videos of them are used. Make sure to ask them why, but don’t argue with them. This is the time to educate you child about personal boundaries, and to some extent, encourage them to share it. You can even try negotiating to see what your child is cool with. Honestly, it sucks when your kid is mad at you, and they really are valid with their feelings, even if you don’t agree with them.

Have you made content creation important over your family?

This last one might hurt a bit, and you may not realize it, but your family may feel like they’ve been put in the background to your digital content creating. It might be time to set the camera or phone down, and enjoy more moments with the family, rather than always have the need to photograph every little thing. If you don’t know if you’re creating this type of environment with your family, then you need to have a sit down and have an honest discussion.

I’m sure there may be a few keyboard warriors not happy with this post, as it’s a tough pill to swallow. However, it is a blog post, and my website, and I’m sharing my experience. I’m not telling you what to do. However, take this post as some food for thought. Your family will appreciate it.

As a side note, a few years back, I wrote a post on Children using WordPress, and what you can do to keep them safe. I hope that post will also help, if keep your kid safe online is something important to you.

Sincerely,

Nile Flores