My 16 year old niece was over today and I let her use my computer. I just looked at the computer history and saw that she was on a strange website called Tumblr. Kids talking about cutting, drugs and anorexia and bulimia. Anyone ever hear of this site or know anything about it? I definately plan to let her mother know about this and monitor her in the future when she is on the computer at my house. She is a troubled girl.
Thanks for the answers. I told my sister and she discussed the content that my niece is viewing with her counselor. Not sure what happened after that.
Tumbler isn't the website, it's just like a social blog format (like blogger, facebook...). She was looking at someone's page on tumbler. So like, she was looking at someone's tumblr account that particular person had written about those subjects.
And yes, you should tell her mother that she was looking at those things, that is worrisome and she should be gently and lovingly talked too and watched closely.
I shake my head when I read these things, L.. I'm sorry - this is your niece and I know it's painful for you. Parents have a tendency to trust their kids far too much when it comes to what they are looking at online. Our children need to BE children for longer than the internet allows - earlier today there was a question about letting an 11 year old on a website where there are adult themes and simulated sex. I don't understand allowing that much freedom - I really don't.
I agree that you need to talk to her mother. And when she comes to your house, just tell her that the computer isn't available for use. Take her somewhere - do things with her. Pop popcorn and watch a movie - anything that can make her feel "close" to you. Being on the computer takes her "away" from you and that is the opposite of what she needs.
So sorry!
I believe that people can post all kinds of things on Tumblr, from recipes to movie reviews to sci-fi to organic food to topics both innocent and dangerous. You can follow certain topics. If you love comic books, for example, you can follow blogs that people are writing about comic book conventions or comic book collections. There are hashtags (#) that help people find stuff they're interested in. So perhaps your niece is focusing on those kinds of topics on Tumblr and other sites too. I don't see that the problem is so much with the site as the fact that your niece is searching out those kinds of topics. She may be looking for help or she may be getting associated with a very dangerous lifestyle. Either way, I'm glad you noticed what she's looking at, and I hope she can get help.
It's a social media site, like Facebook, pintrist, yahoo groups, it. It's what you make of it.
It's a social media site that many people (many adults also) use. It's not just for the subjects you mentioned, but she's obviously looking at information regarding those. The website is fine though -but she may not be!
Hi. Nerve wracking stuff! Tumblr is literally just a sight where you post any content (pics, journal entries). It can be about that which I've never seen. I've only seen it vein used to post vacation or food photos. Things like that.
I figure at this point, unless you take the computer completely away it will be almost impossible to track what our kid sees. My 8 year old has accidentally seen a few very undesirable things online. Thank heavens he always tells me and asks me what it was so I have a chance to put out any possible forest fires in te future, of you know what I'm saying.
Another thought, 16 year olds are so moody. I remember when I was exactly 16 I went through a phase where I was obsessed with The Cure. I was in a very dark place because of it, writing some seriously dark poetry. My parents questioned it but never took it away from me. Did they steer me through it, yes! But I eventually lost interest and moved onto brighter, sunnier things. Teenagers are so fickle. Hopefully your niece is going through a phase too. And maybe if she has no guidance, you can be that for her? Hope it all works out.
its a social media site. i have never been on it before so i dont know much about it.
Like the others said, its a social platform for people to socialize/ share their ideas with one another. No problem with the website itself but it could be that your niece is either looking for or talking about those kind of things. I'd say tell her mother. It's better to keep an eye on teens and keep her mother informed of what her daughter is doing/ thinking.
Tumblr is a blogging site. If she is reading about all the things you mentioned and she is a troubled girl, it's not the site that is the problem - it's the girl. It sounds like she needs help, and maybe her letting you find out about the things she's concerned about or possibly dealing with is a cry for help. That's what needs to be dealt with.
All of these issues she is looking at and possibly taking an interest in are "control" related issues - do some research on these topics and how they relate to teen girls, talk to the mother and be supportive. If she is not cutting or starving herself she could be considering it OR she may have a friend who is doing it. Do not go into this seeking to take the control away from her, go into this being a supportive person with more information. IF this is handled wrong she could see cause for reason to start or continue in her eyes.
It seems to me that it's kind of a combination between Pinterest and Facebook. Users can have their own blogs and can post or re-post things and can comment on other blogs. My 14-year-old is on it and I monitor it and I don't find what she looks at shocking. I've seen kids talking about those kinds of things you mention, but in the context of asking for advice on how to get help.
