Facebook Punishment: Too Far?
By: Eric Mansfield, WKYC
Updated: April 25, 2012
Denise Abbott just wanted her daughter to learn a lesson about what not to do on Facebook.
So, she created a photo of her daughter that neither will ever forget.
The Akron, Ohio mother created a Facebook profile picture showing her 13-year-old daughter, Ava, with a red "X" across her mouth, followed by the words:
"I do not know how to keep my mouth shut. I am no longer allowed on Facebook or my phone. Please ask why. My mom says I have to answer everyone that asks."
More than 30 people responded with inquiries as to why the picture had been created, and Denise said Ava is writing back to each person.
Via email, Ava writes, "I feel like I deserved it because I was mean to my mom and spoke disrespectful to her in front of my friends. Facebook is a big part of my social life and it's how me and my friends find out what is going on and making plans and about school work and projects. It made me realize that I didn't want my picture on there like that because all of my friends were asking me what happened and what I did. I told the people that asked me and my mom why that I spoke to my mom mean when she was doing nice stuff for me and my friends. I know my mom always makes sure I don't get away with stuff like that and I was sorry. Thank you, Ava"
Denise said she realizes that "cyber discipline" isn't for every parent, but that she believes it has made a good point with Ava.
Denise said that, as long as her daughter behaves, she'll likely be allowed to use her cell phone and Facebook again in about a week.
So, she created a photo of her daughter that neither will ever forget.
The Akron, Ohio mother created a Facebook profile picture showing her 13-year-old daughter, Ava, with a red "X" across her mouth, followed by the words:
"I do not know how to keep my mouth shut. I am no longer allowed on Facebook or my phone. Please ask why. My mom says I have to answer everyone that asks."
More than 30 people responded with inquiries as to why the picture had been created, and Denise said Ava is writing back to each person.
Via email, Ava writes, "I feel like I deserved it because I was mean to my mom and spoke disrespectful to her in front of my friends. Facebook is a big part of my social life and it's how me and my friends find out what is going on and making plans and about school work and projects. It made me realize that I didn't want my picture on there like that because all of my friends were asking me what happened and what I did. I told the people that asked me and my mom why that I spoke to my mom mean when she was doing nice stuff for me and my friends. I know my mom always makes sure I don't get away with stuff like that and I was sorry. Thank you, Ava"
Denise said she realizes that "cyber discipline" isn't for every parent, but that she believes it has made a good point with Ava.
Denise said that, as long as her daughter behaves, she'll likely be allowed to use her cell phone and Facebook again in about a week.
