Abbott replaced her daughter Facebook profile picture with a picture of a red cross covering Ava’s mouth and the words, “I do not know how to keep my [mouth shut]. I am no longer allowed on Facebook or my phone. Please ask why.”
According to the controversial post, Ava was required to reply everyone who asked about the picture with an explanation for the punishment.
The era of Facebook parenting?
Abbott maintains that her discipline tactic was simply a way of “adapting parenting skills with the times”, as she knew that Ava would be incredibly impacted by this punishment.
In email replies to reporters, Ava has stated that she felt like she deserved the punishment, as she had been disrespectful to her mother.
As of late, it seems like Facebook parenting has been picking up pace.
On the 9th of February 2012, Tommy Jordan uploaded a video onto Facebook of himself shooting nine rounds into his daughter’s laptop.
Jordan apparently felt this was the right way to respond after he found a post on his daughter’s Facebook of her complaining about her life and her parents.
Public outcry
Both parents have stood by their decisions to take their punishments public, but their actions have not been received well by everyone.
Many feel that using public humiliation as a punishment, as Abbott and Jordan did, was more detrimental than helpful to correct their children’s behaviour.
Some have even gone as far as to call it child abuse and downright bad parenting.
On the other side of the camp, are parents who applaud Jordan and Abbott’s behaviour, stating that children are becoming increasingly difficult to discipline and control.
So what’s your say? Would you post something on your child’s Facebook as a form of punishment? Is ‘Facebook parenting’ a sign of evolving times, or a sign of frustrated parents who choose to stoop to their kid’s levels?
Sentiments from parents
What’s wrong with it? We’re pampering our children far too much nowadays, for the sake of their ‘well-being’ when in fact, we’re ruining their lives by letting them have their way. – Diana Chong
I think its wrong for parents to use Facebook to humiliate their children. It’s just too open for everyone to see. It’s almost like taking your kid’s phone and messaging everyone in it about something your kid did wrong. Keep the punishment at home. – Joseph Lee
I do not agree with her mother’s actions because it is a family matter and should be kept within the family or those involved. Using the Internet or Facebook is not a positive way to discipline your child as anyone and everyone in the world who has no relation to the person or situation is able to watch your actions and the consequences of that may actually cause more harm than good in the future. – Shila Gordon
Parents, share with us your thoughts and partake in our poll below.
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