Mom Bribes Her Son With $1,800 To Stay Off Social Media Until His 18th Birthday
When you were a kid, you probably didn't have social media. Fast-forward to parenthood and it's probably a conversation you've had to have with your own kids.
One mom gave her son 1,800 reasons to stay off social media until he turned 18, and now, her unique parenting story has gone viral and is captivating parents everywhere.
Children And Social Media
From school to relationships, puberty, and growing up, there are a lot of challenges parents must help their children navigate through in order to ensure they grow up happy and ready to take on adulthood.
But now there's something new parents have to contend with once their children get older—whether or not to allow them to have social media.
Meet Lorna And Sivert
This is Lorna Goldstrand Klefsaas and her teenage son Sivert. The mother and son hail from Minnesota and recently, the duo went viral because of an offer Lorna made to Sivert several years ago regarding social media.
The story has gained popularity with users on Facebook and has been picked up by various news outlets, with Lorna's approach to social media resonating with parents.
The Facebook Post
In a recent Facebook post, Lorna illustrates how she decided to teach her son about social media. She explains that six years ago, she challenged the then 12-year-old Sivert to stay off social media until his 18th birthday.
What was his reward for successfully completing the challenge? A check for $1,800.
Cashing The Check
Fast-forward six years and Lorna shared that Sivert successfully completed the challenge. On his 18th birthday, Lorna presented him with a check for $1,800 that he happily cashed.
"FYI—it's some of the best money I have ever spent!!!" Lorna wrote.
Challenge Accepted
In an interview with CNN, Sivert explains that when his mother first made him the offer, he thought it was "awesome," adding that an extra six years to stay off social media was no big deal.
Aside from a quick period where he used Snapchat, Sivert wasn't a big social media user at the age of 12 anyway, and so felt he could complete the challenge.
A Matter Of Pride
Staying off social media allowed him to avoid any unnecessary drama and focus on school and sports, adding that his friends kept him up to date on important trends and stories. For Sivert, failing the challenge was never an option.
"I wouldn't say there was ever a time where I thought I was about to break," he told CNN. “As it went on, it was more of a pride thing.”
Where Did Lorna Get The Idea?
Lorna told CNN that she first got the idea from a radio challenge called "16 for 16" where a mom offered her daughter $1,600 to stay off social media until her 16th birthday. Inspired, she decided to up the ante.
Lorna also has three daughters, all of whom used social media growing up, but noticed that it had negatively affected their moods and relationships.
What's Next For Sivert?
The challenge was not without its difficulties. Sivert said that he'd see his friends using social media and realized he wasn't allowed to. But after completing the challenge, he finally downloaded his first social media account—Instagram.
So what does he plan to do with his $1,800? Sivert is attending the University of Northwestern, St. Paul in the fall, and figures he'll probably get something for his dorm.
