376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, P.O. Box 316, Bridgehampton, NY 11932

631-537-8250

August 2016 – LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

IMG_8270A while back, an old friend referred to me as a “social media ghost.” He was playfully acknowledging the fact that I don’t have a Facebook, Twitter, or an Instagram account. The Museum has all three, but I’ve yet to make the leap. When I managed a fantasy football team using the Internet, I wasted incalculable numbers of hours so I can’t imagine how long I would spend trying to post photos on social media. The Internet has made a dramatic impact in how we communicate with friends and family, but, as evidenced by pictures of my sons completely covering one of the walls in my office, I still prefer print to pixels (although all the photos were taken with a digital camera).

One of the best parts of the Children’s Museum is that we have a place to make memories and I think we should try to share these moments of the fun and joy we experience as a family. And while technology has made this effort easier than ever before, I often wonder if our desire to document and share could actually be detrimental. According to one recent survey, the average parent will post almost 1,000 photos of her/his child online before he/she turns five. Another survey about social media behavior notes that almost 80% of adults say they’ve witnessed parents putting their attempts to get the “perfect” photo ahead of their child’s enjoyment of an event. And what happens when my sons become teenagers? I don’t know if they’d appreciate having their earlier, droolier days, on display for the world to see.

While I may choose not to personally participate, I do see the value in social media sharing. It’s easier for families to stay in touch especially when they are separated by thousands of miles. And with skype and facetime, my children can see their grandparents while they’re talking on the phone to them. Social media also provides a forum for parents to seek support, advice, and experiences from other parents they may have never met. It really can be an invaluable tool, as long as we’re conscious of how and how often we’re using it.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on parenting in the age of social media. Feel free to send me an e-mail…and don’t forget to follow the Museum on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

Sincerely,

Steve

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