Parenting styles can differ vastly from household to household. Some parents are strict, while others are more lenient. That could be the case with anything from chores and household rules to the foods people allow their kids to eat. Everyone wants their children to be as safe and well as possible.
Sometimes, we turn to professionals when we want a little guidance or perspective on how to help raise our children. One detective on TikTok recently posted a video outlining what she will not allow her own children to do, and it's pretty interesting.
The mom’s list is based on her professional experience.
TikToker @emily.speed7, is a special victims unit detective who works on crimes against children. Because of her experiences, she has stringent rules for her children to follow, which she recently shared on social media. The TikTok she posted currently has 2.7 million views. Many people are onboard with at least some of Speed’s advice, but opinions are mixed.
Say no to sleepovers.
First, Speed says, no sleepovers. We have heard this one before, and it is a hot topic among parents. Speed says, “You never know who is going to be there. It’s not just other adults, it’s their kids and siblings. I have a lot of cases that involving things that happen at sleepovers.”
She also warns that you shouldn't offer to have the sleepover at your own home either, “because some things are just out of your control.”
Speed’s kids will not be on some social media platforms.
Speed warns that social media — specifically Snapchat — is not safe for kids. “Not a good app. There’s a lot of predators on this app that try to find kids and teenagers and try to get them to send pictures and videos of themselves,” she says.
She continues explaining that she has had a lot of cases involving the app and there is no way her kids will have access to it.
She is not onboard with 'stranger danger.'
This one people had a hard time with. Speed says she will not teach her children about "stranger danger" like many other parents do. She explains that statistically, people who prey on kids tend to be those closest to them and who they love and trust.
“Instead I am going to be teaching them more like good touch and bad touch and they can always come to me if something like this were ever to happen to them and they will never be in trouble,” she says. She won’t be teaching the creepy old man in the van story we’ve all heard because “that’s just not reality” either.
Speed received mixed reactions.
Many people agreed with the sleepover rule. “My parents never let me do sleepovers,” someone commented. "I used to get so mad, but now that I’m older I understand why & will do the same."
Others don’t see what the big deal is. Another wrote: “Unfortunate. I had many sleepovers with friends and At parties as a kid, all were great memories and innocent.”
A lot of people agreed that social media is a bad idea for kids.
“Snapchat is such a bad app,” someone else wrote. "I get constantly added from a group of people with similar names and oh my god."
Others think it is a slippery slope. “I think its important to note that not allowing your kids to have snapchat will just make them hide it, they’ll still get it but wont tell you if,” another comment reads.
Some people had differing views on teaching "stranger danger." “Definitely still teach stranger danger but also that people you know can also hurt you… both should be taught,” somoene wrote.
“My mom teaching me stranger danger saved me from being kid napped once, right outta my front yard,” another commented. "Just sayin."
“Stranger danger is important, because the failed attempts are not reported on,” one person noted. "3 times for me as a child."
What's the bottom line?
Parents need to be careful with their kids. Not everyone will agree on all the tips, but it is crucial to ensure your kids understand that they can always come to you with concerns, no matter what they might be.
As long as they know that there are adults in their lives they can trust, they will hopefully always tell the truth because they know you will believe them.
