Facebook Matrix – Finding Balance

By Caitlin Bootsma
Consultant to the VIRTUS® Programs

mom texting and babyFacebook gathers all sorts of data about its users, information that reveals some interesting insights. For example, does it surprise you that adults with kids spend 1.3 times more time on Facebook than their childless counterparts?

As an adult who spends time on this ubiquitous social media platform, the reasons they give for parents’ presence online resonates with me. Part of this extra time online has to do with our role of caring for children. We post pictures of our children, arrange meet-ups with others parents, and even pose parenting or education questions on our wall. Many of us find community with other caregivers in Facebook groups—an especially welcome haven for adults seeking particular guidance on everything from being a Catholic parent to nurturing children with disabilities.

While Facebook poses specific benefits to parents, it can pose particular challenges for adults who care for children. As most of us know, spending time on social media can be more time consuming than we realize. And, for adults whose time is spent juggling the varied needs of kids, work and home life, budgeting how much time we spend online is important. Additionally, with parenting opinions coming from every corner of Facebook, it can sometimes be challenging to navigate what you as an adult think is best for the children in your care, rather than what the latest trend is in the “mommy wars.” 

Ultimately, we should see Facebook—or any other social media platform—as a tool to be used in moderation. Seek community, ask for advice, but turn off your phone or computer when the chatter gets cumbersome or prevents you from spending quality time with children—they definitely notice when our phones are our first priority.

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What is Your Opinion?

Do you use a filter or monitoring software at home?