From Slate Magazine · A.J. Daulerio · · 1m 10s
Parenting Advice on TikTok and Toy Gifts
Parents debate TikTok bedtime use and toy gift timing.
In brief
Parents debate TikTok bedtime use and toy gift timing. A parent questions letting their 10-year-old watch TikTok in bed nightly, while another parent fights with their mother over frequent toy purchases for a 6-year-old. Originally reported by Slate Magazine.
Parenting Concern
A parent questions letting their 10-year-old watch TikTok in bed nightly.
“My wife and I have a 10-year-old daughter. She doesn’t have a phone and isn’t going to have one for as long as possible.”
TikTok Bedtime Ritual
The parent’s wife lets their daughter watch TikTok for 20 minutes each night.
“My wife lets our daughter watch tiktok in bed with her for like 20 minutes each night”
Parent’s Fear
The parent worries TikTok is brain-rotting and makes kids hate themselves.
“I think tiktok is stupid and brain-rotting, but my wife says it’s important for our daughter to know what’s going on in the culture”
Expert Response
A.J. Daulerio admits his 9-year-old son is fluent in influencers and ads.
“I have a 9-year-old son who is already fully-fluent in influencers who open baseball cards”
Social Media Reality
Social media is a scourge but also the world we live in.
“Bottom line: Social media is a scourge. But, it is also the world we live in and is never going away”
Toy Gift Debate
A parent fights with their mother over frequent toy purchases for a 6-year-old.
“I have a 6-year-old daughter. I really like buying toys and books for her”
Toy Gift Conflict
The parent’s mother thinks gifts should be for birthdays and Christmas only.
“She thinks gifts should be for birthdays and christmas, and that i’m "cheapening" those occasions”
Expert Toy Advice
A.J. Daulerio says buy toys now for happiness, not saving for special occasions.
“I also buy my kids too many toys, whenever i feel motivated to do so. Kids are only going to be young once”
Parenting Conclusion
The parent should prioritize their daughter’s happiness over gift timing.
“Your mom isn’t the parent here, you are”
Here's the gist
A parent questions letting their 10-year-old watch TikTok in bed nightly, while another parent fights with their mother over frequent toy purchases for a 6-year-old.
