After their daughter “got fresh” with her parents, this mom and dad confiscated her cell phone for a week and posted a series of silly (read: mortifying) photos of themselves for all of her Facebook friends to see.
Thanks to her brother, the story and one of the pictures found its way on Reddit.com for the whole world to see. “My parents took away my sisters phone for the week. They’ve uploaded about 10 of these to her facebook. Doing it right!” AustinMac posted on the popular site.
The photo went viral and has sparked a new debate about whether “kid shaming” on the Internet crosses a line. While psychologists squirmed, a whopping 80% of parents polled on moms.today.com cheered, declaring it “good punishment! Creative and memorable.”
We asked readers on the MuscogeeMoms Facebook page to weight in — Did these parents cross a line, or was it was all in good fun? The majority of our fans approved. Here are some of their answers:
Christy:
I have a feeling this kid was warned before her phone was taken away, so this will most likely teach her a memorable lesson. Very creative, and funny! She may not think so now, but I guarantee it will be a story she will laugh and tell to her children one day.
Amber:
If they embarrass you; embarrass them back. When your child misbehaves it is a reflection of you and your parenting, so yeah, its embarrassing!
April:
This is great! Bad parents don’t punish their children. People are so worried of what society will think it’s ridiculous. I’m sure she’s not going to get bullied over this, So it’s embarrassing, yeah, a little, but it’s nothing serious! Some people have NO sense of humor. No wonder kids these days are spoiled brats and don’t think they have to listen. Nobody teaches them a lesson!!!!
Angila:
I’m sure the parents had tried everything to fix the situation. When in Rome….I frequently remind my kids that if they humiliate me, I’m not above a tube top, mom jeans, and huge hair, with house shoes on, coming up to their school and sitting in with their classes. They straighten up quite quickly. Talking helps, but sometimes action works best, depending on the child. At least they aren’ sexting on her phone, doing drugs, and drinking and driving their kids to activities. Give me a break. I have FOUR children, and the punishment depends on the child. It’s creative, not abusive.
Vickie:
Parents disciplining their children is not bullying them, it’s teaching them that every wrong doing has a punishment, “don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time” cliche I know, but true. All of you who are calling this bullying stop and think about the kids that do the bullying…..where are their parents? Who is disciplining those children? Not their parents because they are too afraid they may emotionally damage their child!!! Grow a set and teach your kids right, to do the right thing and to NOT bully!
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