Cause for concern over children's use of social media platforms: Kanye West's Instagram Outcry
It is no question to society that our lives have become fully engrossed by social media platforms. More recently, the platform TikTok has swept the globe. The short form content on this platform is even more addicting than it is engaging. While in the height of the pandemic this escape was appreciated by those attempting to pass time at home, it has created a new realm of concerns for the public. TikTok users report hours of logged screen time solely on the singular platform, which elicits the question: should there be stricter monitoring of platform usage? Kanye West recently came forward with a personal outcry concerning his daughter's TikTok account and content.
“SINCE THIS IS MY FIRST DIVORCE I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO ABOUT MY DAUGHTER BEING PUT ON TIK TOK AGAINST MY WILL?” the rapper, who recently changed his legal name to Ye, wrote on Instagram. He posted a screenshot of North from the most recent video she did with her mom" (Los Angeles Times).
While Kanye West is infamously known for his outspoken and outlandish social media behavior, people are taking to heart the concern he is posing here. This topic has stirred the conversation surrounding the well-being of children on platforms such as TikTok. As Kanye West also posted on Instagram, the platform prohibits users under the age of 13 to post content on their app. North West is 8 years old. Therefore, it begs the question of how an 8 year old posts content on an app that clearly states that is against their policy. The excitement and drama that follows a big celebrity scandal never lacks in engagement, but I believe this issue to be bigger than West and Kardashian's divorce. Are the children living in the age of tech destined to be addicted to social media? If platforms like TikTok continue to bypass their own policies, children will continue to be exposed to these apps before they are given the chance to mature. It is important that developing minds have the time and space to grow before being exposed to the, sometimes harsh, reality of the digital space.
Sources:
While his daughter should not be exploited in the media, if he were not a celebrity I guarantee that he would be arrested for harassment. In speaking with a friend of mine who is a lawyer, she explained that the steps and actions he is taking are similar to those of individuals who are about to harm their former significant other. But since Kanye is, well, Kanye, of course nobody thinks anything of it.
I believe that Kanye is correct in thinking that his 8 year old daughter shouldn't be on social media. However, I believe that these long-winded rants on social media do not help his case and instead hurt it. I luckily, have never been involved in a divorce so I cannot empathize with how he is feeling. Despite this, there are better ways of achieving goals than calling people out on social media and making things a public issue. I hope he finds peace soon with all this family controversy going on.
I sympathize with Kanye's statement, as an older brother of my younger 8-year-old siblings, it is definitely weird to see them grow up with a device by their side and at an age before they are able to responsibly own a cell phone. Though I consider my siblings to be "addicted" at a young to digital devices, it is definitely scary when my siblings always bring up their friends and how they have their own tablets and are able to game and binge cartoons on a regular basis. Though tablet usage is a bit off-topic to social media consumption, I believe that similar sentiments arise in parents who observe the upcoming "Ipad Babies".
I think Kanye was in the right on this point. There is no reason for a child to be on social media where they can be exposed to adult content and get hooked on the addictiveness of the sites early. I was not allowed to have social media until I was 12 or 13, and even then was not allowed to have my face on any accounts for several years. Protecting children online should be a priority in this day in age, and allowing young kids to post on social media is dangerous.
This is a really interesting point. Children are becoming more and more exposed to technology at younger ages--for example I was not allowed to have any social media until I was 14, and now there are 8 year olds online. While I do think it is a little out of line for Kanye to be discussing his personal details of hid divorce online, he should have a say on his child's social media usage--only if he is involved in the parenting of his children (I don't really keep up with them so I don't know if he is involved at all).