J. J. Cannon

#boom

The Cannon Report features commentary on news items going “boom” and includes tips and information for parents regarding kids and social media.

#Being13: Inside the Secret World of Teens. It airs on CNN (TONIGHT) October 5 at 9pm ET.

As a Mom to two young daughters, ages twelve and ten I look forward to watching this and tweeting to Anderson Cooper and CNN until my thumbs bleed.

Frankly, I feel like I’ve had some pretty compelling things to say on the subject and may I remind you, my tens of readers (and Anderson Cooper), about that time (quite RECENTLY) that Norah O’Donnell quoted me. Feeling highly indignant, and much like a person stranded on an island waving their hands in the air, yelling, “Over here!” about the fact that no one has called me. My FOMO on chatting all-things-related-to-kids-and-social-media struggle is real.

#Being13: Perils of Lurking on Social Media is a good article and something I talk about in my book, @Sophie Takes a #Selfie. Much of what is talked about here falls under my #SweetSixteen No. 4 #WorryNot which reads:

Copyright J. J. Cannon – Images may not be used without permission.

“The next time you catch yourself obsessing over how many people liked your picture, I want you to picture a giant, red STOP sign in front of you.  Your emotional well-being and sense of self-worth does not depend on how many “friends” or followers you have OR little heart ”likes” under your photo… I’ve seen you and you’re a giant kaleidoscope of beautiful.

Don’t worry that a certain someone hasn’t responded to a message that you can see has been read.  Maybe she’s busy… or fell and broke both of her elbows… or was in a terrible thumb wrestling accident with her brother.  Maybe her phone died just as she was about to respond… or maybe, just maybe… your true blue friend has a busy life outside of cyberspace!

Do pay attention, without being overly sensitive, to how others treat you.  You know who your real friends are, so please assume the best and stay positive.

Remember, it’s not always about you!”

Moving on…

Perhaps you’ve heard about the allegedly still forthcoming Peeple App aka ‘Yelp for People’ aka the latest social media fail co-created by two seemingly intelligent women in tech? It’s a real thing people – yes, not just the kids rating each other anymore. Here’s the latest update from the New York Times: ‘Yelp for People’ App Founder Says Peeple Won’t Be ‘Shamed Into Submission’

Here is the comment and question I posted on the LinkedIn article by Ms. Cordray which is also referenced in the New York Times article:

I am a mother of two girls ages ten and twelve who are currently living in a social world where kids rate each other whether they like it or not. A search of the hashtag #rate on Instagram returns upwards of 4 million results. The reduction of human beings to a rating system – created by ADULTS – is unacceptable.

With all due respect Julia, how do you explain the video now circulating of you saying, “…it’s important to know the negative too. I wouldn’t want this app to just be positive. We want to know, Did he steal from you? Did she steal from you? Where they abusive? Um, do they have anger issues to do they lie all the time? Are they narcissistic? I mean these are the things that I think are more important.”

Am I mistaken or does this completely contradict your statement above, “there is no way to even make negative comments.” ??? While it is disappointing (among other things) to see that two seemingly intelligent women in tech would create something like this, the realist in me understands that money often trumps morality.

SO, just say “No, thank you.” to Peeple.

Let’s wrap things up with some social media stats that parents should know and which I’m sure will be touched upon in tonight’s #Being13 documentary on CNN.

According to PewResearchCenter, “24% of teens go online “almost constantly,” facilitated by the widespread availability of smartphones.”  In the interest of keeping up with our kids, “Teens, Social Media & Technology Overview 2015” is highly informative.

Thanks for stopping by,

ox J.J.