Every family has one.
Armchair parenting experts on Reddit engaged in a polarizing debate that asked users to ponder what popular parenting practices they’ve witnessed that are sure to “create a generation of emotionally broken adults in 20 years.”
And it’s digital natives Gen Alpha, born between 2010–2024, will have firmly entered adulthood in two decades time.
The world has begun to know Gen Alpha as history’s first digital natives at birth — a fact about which many Reddit users seem concerned. They targeted contemporary parents’ laissez-faire approach to the internet, smart devices and social media.
Horrified commenters shared a litany of the most out-of-line examples of oversharing, including parents who expose their naked newborns in Facebook photos and chronicle their daughter’s “menstruation journey” on TikTok.
“Some people will do anything for views. It is really sad,” one bemoaned, to which another responded, “Can you imagine having an entire digital footprint you never consented to?”
One user claimed they were even “unfriended by one offended mother over it.
“I called out an acquaintance for posting a picture of her son butt naked on the toilet and she just unfriended me. My comment? ‘I hope nobody posts a picture of you naked on the toilet without your consent,’” someone shared.
Of course, screentime is one of the most pressing issues of childcare today, with respondents agreeing that too much of it, especially performed in public, would risk raising a generation that doesn’t know how to socialize in day-to-day situations or how to deal with boredom.
Critics also slammed parents guilty of too much screentime themselves, when they should be giving attention to their kids — though several parents humbly agreed that they struggle with this one.
“I try to be present with my daughter, but I have to admit that I often fail,” one honest parent lamented. “I didn’t think it would be this hard to focus on her,” one parent admitted. “I get tired, and then my phone is back in my hand as she plays nearby, and I eventually look up from it to notice she has stopped playing and been staring at me or waving at me for a little while.”
A commenter claiming to be a former pre-K instructor advised parents and family members to openly disclose their children what they’re doing on their phones or laptops, as appropriate. Even if you’re watching a silly video, it could, at least, make them feel included.
“Narrating can alleviate the guilt, invites them to ask questions, and stokes their curiosity,” one user noted.
Despite shots fired at parents who aren’t vigilant enough about technology, overprotective parents who make their kids “the center of the universe” were also under attack by Reddit users. They pointed out that health and well-being are the priority, but developing minds also need hard lessons in disappointment, boundaries and empathy.
“You also have to teach them that…not everything is appropriate for children, and that they will not be included in things all the time,” one mused.
“Fact is, one day they will be adults out in the real world, and them thinking that the world revolves around them will serve as a huge slap in the face.”
A teacher echoed this, saying that “without a doubt,” one of the most detrimental parenting practices is not focusing on being actual parents who implement boundaries and expectations, and rather putting an emphasis on being their child’s friend.
