Parents won’t let me show my face online?

Question

I am a 15 year old girl and my parents will not let me show my face online, but it’s very tempting when seeing the validation other people get when posting themselves, and I can just block creepy people, and it’s not like I’ll get kidnapped! And it’s not just about validation because I want to post my pretty sunset photos and other good moments online, I know that I should wait until I’m a legal adult probably and my parents wouldn’t let me but I felt like ranting but maybe for some advice too

Oliverlogan263 · Accepted Answer

I totally get why you wanna show your face online and post pics. It can be so frustrating with parents being all strict. But ya know, they just wanna protect you too which is cool of them.

Here's what I'd say - find other ways to get that validation and share your moments without disrespecting their rules. Like do more faceless sunset pics and use cute filters! Or start a private blog just for your close friends.

You could also have an honest chat with your parents. Reassure them that you just wanna share your life and won't accept randoms, then see if y'all can find a compromise. Maybe they'll let you use a nick name or blur your face in public posts.

Your online safety is important, but so are your feelings. As long as you meet them halfway and respect their worries, I bet they'll ease up more over time too. Or maybe wait til you're 16 and prove you can do it responsibly!

Don't stress too much. You got your whole life ahead of you to share yourself online. For now focus on what really matters - your friends, hobbies, school. The validation will come, sis, trust! Stay positive.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Accepted Answer

You want to post your pics and face online, but parents disagree well I think you should have a very good Security for your computer to protect it from some online criminals, hey we all got to be careful if someone emails us, and it seems shady I just delete it because of my gut feeling and any criminal can't get what they want, they can become a problem for us, I'm a grown adult with online trust issues people can't be trusted they can do anything to us, I know I might seem impossible, but it's so true. Best wishes on this matter :)

Cutegirl06 · Accepted Answer

I had a picture of myself on here and I joined when I was 15 like you. It was just my face nothing else. I do understand though where your parents are coming from they are trying to protect you it shows they care about you. I didn't post my picture for any validation I mean yeah I got compliments and stuff but that didn't really matter too me so much. My parents were cool with just my face picture but definitely told me no pictures showing skin.

rosemilk · Accepted Answer

the bad outweighs the good. tonnssss of cyberbullying. sure you see all the validation, but once you get that one hate comment it will stick with you forever, no matter how much you block and report.

why aren't your parents giving you the validation that you seek?

Anonymous · Answer

Your parents are just looking out for you. Trust me, you really aren't missing anything. The vast majority of compliments you receive will have anterior motives, as you just said. But what good does it do you to receive an empty compliment anyways.

Also when you post your Pic it sort of becomes public domain. Imagine people taking your Pic and copying it to do whatever nefarious plans they have. I'm not saying this is going to happen. I'm simply saying you're not really missing out on anything.

ChicoFromThe305 · Answer

I actually find it very refreshing that you listen to your parents, it might be a bit extreme from their part but to be fair the internet is crawling with creeps and they know that, they just seem to be trying to prevent you from being taken advantage of in any way, you'll have plenty of time in your adulthood to seek for male validation or whatnot.

FreyaRed · Answer

This validation isn't much worth unless you are promoting some products for money or you seek for agency for modeling. Of course getting validation in real world is much more difficult but grants much more benefits.
What for benefits grants you some (((loving))) Indian guy who asks you for "Bob and vagene" pics? The answer is Zero and so much is validation of even one million guys worth. 1million zeros results still in a zero, null, nada, nic, niente

RebelinSteel · Answer

Personally don’t do it unless you are aware of the potential risks. There are Apps that can be used to find all other photos (or very similar) a person has on the internet, either posted by them or others. People do use these apps to track down people and find out more about them. Example, you post 3 photos, these can then be used to do a search, they then return photos your friends posted from gym class or your school posted about an event etc.

DarkWinterNights · Answer

For one, the internet is a crazy dangerous place that most people are oblivious to. Your parents are just looking out for you, as much as it seems like they're being controlling. There are vast powerful organizations that use common social media platform to seek out victims.
Even aside from that, posting your pictures online for validation is a trap you do not want to fall into. It’s not healthy overall and won’t improve your life.

shortster · Answer

Deep fakes have gotten to the point that someone could take a picture of you and use it to create a realistic video of you as a kidnapped victim to ransom you off to your parents when you are safely at school. So do your parents a favor and keep your face offline.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

"it’s not just about validation because I want to post my pretty sunset photos and other good moments online" The only thing you can't post is your face so why can't you post other photos?

AngryCarl · Answer

Well firstly your parents are right. You don't need to have your face online. But even your parents aren't perfect and your need for "validation", while not unnatural, probably reflects a lack of validation (real or percieved) from your parents during your developmental years. That said, the internet is a terrible place to look for validation.

Anonymous · Answer

Showing your face opens up the possibility of doxing and incredibly harsh comments about physical features. Being a teenager is hard enough without outside opinions being thrown your way. I get where your parents are coming from, and it may be hard to see but try to put yourself in their shoes. They want to protect you from the disgust that hides in shadows of the internet.

RavVid · Answer

Your parents might be overly concerned. Since you used the word validation, I'll point out it is an addictive drug. Each time it is a dopamine hit. I think you will be a better person and more capable without it.

SotiCoto · Answer

No, it isn't like you'll get kidnapped. Your parents are probably just afraid that you'll start an OnlyFans account and make more money posing for horny men than they get working legitimate jobs.

DextroShade · Answer

Your parents are right to keep you from doing this, as the sooner you start chasing attention and validation the sooner you stop growing as a person. Social media ruins women and turns them into vapid narcissistic whores.

exitseven · Answer

I wpuld not let you either. Maybe you would not even have a cellphone.

FenixG45 · Answer

I'm male and 4 times your age, and I WON'T show my face online!  Let that sink in a bit!

Wise4myage · Answer

So your parents won’t even let you post sunsets or other pics as kind as your face isn’t included?

OddBeMe · Answer

Uhh, that’s weird. Faces would seem fine with me as friends pics etc. It’d be obvious which pics I’d want to approve for my child to upload.

ImalwaysrightOK · Answer

Your parents are right

HouseMoat · Answer

FUCK social media

Parents won’t let me show my face online?

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