Tuesday, August 9

The Internet Isn't For Parents Of Teenagers

When I wandered into this crazy place people call the interwebs many years ago I was not the parent of teenagers.  I had a tween and a child (12 & 9 respectively) and there was plenty of information available on how not to fuck them up, or if you had already done a number on them how one might correct a mistake or two.  Lots of products for the little ones were paraded across my screen daily - surely this toy, that brand of toothpaste, this juice would make my child happier, healthier and a better citizen of the world.

But then, my children grew and became immature versions of little adult like people and the internet seemed to forget they existed.  The advice (and assvice) dissapeared, nobody tried to sell me toys anymore, toothpaste companies didn't care if their teeth rotted out, and juice is not for teens ~ or at least that seems to be what advertising executives seem to believe.  

Sure, things are advertised directly to my kids but there is a mountain of products and information that seems to be flying under the radar and it is the stuff that should be aimed at me since I'm the one with the checkbook.  

Teen drivers - becoming one, staying one, insuring one, rules for one....

Teen health - from acne and sports injuries to nutrition and mental health...

Teen education - the over-acheiver, the under-achiever, SAT, ACT,  ADHD, homework management, college requirements....

Teen social - reasonable rules and expectations, please don't have sex, do I smell beer on your breath, whose house are you at, all your friends can't be in the computer, turn that tv off, that is not a skirt - that is a belt!, social media for parents.....

Teen aging - preparing them for life beyond high school & living with the rents, daily life skills, banking, balancing a checkbook, doing laundry...

College - do I have a kid who belongs in college?, how to pay for it, where to visit, when to visit, who to see, how to help make the decision of where to go, setting rules & expectations for the college bound, what they need to take with them...

And I've only scratched the surface.....

You'd think with a teenage son who likes to attract the ladies the least I'd see is an advertisement for Axe, convincing me that if I buy it I will have a happy, healthy, better smelling, good citizen of the world.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm convinced the reason there is no information on teenagers is you are in denial they will be one someday, you are just trying to keep them alive and out of jail/in school and not becoming a parent/etc. to have time to write any information you may have gleaned down. (AND they are all so damn different. GAH!) And afterwards, I have to believe you block it all out to stay sane.

Guinifer said...

I'd love some of that Teen Aging help. I think the businesses you are talking about may not be as sophisticated in their advertising plans....;

Busy Mom said...

Sorry to have missed this before I got on a tear today!

These are all excellent topics, and I remain puzzled why the larger sites act like we don't exist.

Unknown said...

i agree with you. I see some much directed at my 13yo but nothing directed at me. She has no money and still can't legally hold a job don't they know that? i feel circumvented by advertisers, but i'm the one living with her and when i have a problem there isn't enough real experience of others with teens out there to tell me how long before i can't tolerate the madness anymore.