“I hope that my story can give some insight on the side of social media that not enough people talk or know about and I encourage you after reading this, that you will talk it over with your kids and figure out ways to keep them safe and use social media responsibly.”
At one of our Screenagers Event, we met a terrific young teen we’ll call “Jack.” Jack, who is now in his second year of high school, will be sharing his compelling story about his deepest struggle with technology and the positive steps he’s taking to overcome the consequences of his actions. Raised in a family environment like our own, we tend to take for granted that his story could never happen to our family.
Here is Jack’s incredible story in his own words:
“Hello to all that may be reading this. Throughout my story you will read about my highest points and the hardest times in my life so far through the years of 2017-2018. I hope that my story can give some insight on the side of social media that not enough people talk or know about and I encourage you after reading this, that you will talk it over with your kids and figure out ways to keep them safe and use social media responsibly. Before I start I would just like to say that I have nothing against social media. I am writing about my past-experience with it and how it has affected me.
First, here’s a little about me. I am from Seattle and have been raised in an amazing, loving family. I have been a Christian my whole life and have had amazing role models that I have looked up to. I have very close friends who get me closer to God and keep me honest.
I got my iPhone going into 5th grade. I always wanted a phone right when my older brother got his because he had so much fun with it. It was great to always be connected with friends and “fitting in.” I was always told about the dangers of social media but I didn’t ever take in the fact that what I was told is very real and all around us. Fifth grade was pretty good with my phone but I had no social media because my parents said I was not old enough, which as a kid I did not want to hear. I had great friends and my faith in God was very strong. At this time I attended a Christian school and went to youth group every Sunday. I had no idea that going into middle school everything would change and be much more of a challenge. During the summer leading into middle school I was allowed to get Instagram but not Snapchat because I was not 13 yet. (I believe Instagram is the best social media because it lets you see what your friends post and are doing without the picture going away in 10 seconds like Snapchat.)
Going into middle school was a challenge because it was much different than elementary school. Throughout the year I still bugged my parents about letting me get Snapchat because all my friends had it, but I was not allowed to have it yet. 6th grade was a great year without having that app and I was in a stable condition emotionally all throughout this year and I was thriving in my academics. Then Summer was approaching, I was about 13, and would be allowed to get Snapchat. I remember flying back on my birthday from Seattle back to Denver and excited to get this new app that all my friends had. The next day I downloaded it but I had no clue about how it would change my path with Christ and all my friendships. For a while, having the app was going well and I was “fitting in” with all the other kids that had it. I made new friends from having this app and was having fun. By this time, I was in the beginning of 7th grade, which I would later be the darkest year of my life. This year was also the most difficult out of my middle school career and my friends were not so great at this point as well which would not help me.
Due to the work load and stress on me from all the classes I started slowly slipping into a depression that would ruin my 13th year of life. Having Snapchat made things a lot harder as well because I always felt pressured to answer people right way (Side note I have learned that whenever you get a text or Snap you get a rush of adrenaline that we enjoy). My life was not going well and I started cutting myself, and not thinking good things at all but I tried to just ignore everything. One night I was sent an inappropriate photo which I did not know would cause me so much pain; and, that night I made one of the worst decisions I have ever made and sent a photo back…”
Story To Be Continued Next Week
One of the keys to Parenting in the Digital Age is to equip ourselves with information and stories like Jack’s. From this, we can better understand the challenges and form healthy perspectives that lead to proper stewardship of technology for our family.
Blessings to your family,
Shelly and Rich