
Teaching Your Daughter to See Beyond Her Social Media Feed
We have all seen the tween/teen girls at the mall, park, game, and even at church holding out their phone and doing their best duckface. We may have even seen the viral YouTube video of “sorority girls at the baseball game,” giving us the ultimate example of the “selfie” culture our girls now live in.
What can a parent do or say to possibly lead our daughters (and sons) amid this self-obsessed culture? How do we teach our kids to think beyond themselves, their image, and the perfectly filtered edited ideal that has been placed in front of them?
As Christ-following parents this may be even more frustrating and concerning. We desire for our daughters to have an attitude like Christ (Phil 2:4-8). How do we teach our daughters to see beyond her Instagram/social media feed?
Teach Her Self-Lessness — Even from the youngest of ages, we need to teach our daughters that life is not about them. In the era of helicopter and lawnmower parents, we can show are daughter value and respect without making her feel like she is the princess of our castle where everyone serves her.
Too often as a youth pastor, I have taken a group of students on a mission’s trip or service project to realize that some of my students have never served someone else. Girls (and guys) show up with a suitcase full of new clothes and fully charged phone to get the best pictures of their trip.
Teaching “selflessness” starts at home and it starts early with age-appropriate chores and serving and it starts beyond the home serving and being involved in helping those in need. Teaching our daughters to think beyond a perfect picture and a self-affirming pile of likes, takes exposing them to an imperfect world that is less about herself and more about others.
The greatest thing I could have done for my own children, daughter and son, is to include them on mission trips and service projects in my ministry, at an early age. There is a power that comes from experience, as I talk to my daughter about the value of who she is and who others are as well.
Teach Her Self-Advocacy — This is a moment of juxtaposition for our culture and our daughters. While women are taking to the streets and screens advocating for respect and honor, the culture continues to push shows and music that teaches the opposite.
As parents, we have a need to teach our daughters that their strength and honor comes from God. (Prov. 31:25-31). When they advocate and speak up for themselvesrespectfully they are not doing it just in self-defense, but in kingdom worth. The days of the demur, submissive women are over, and your daughter’s strength and power is not found in being a woman but in being a woman of God.
My own daughter was shy in elementary, never speaking up for herself in class. She lacked confidence, even to the point of never being able join other children her age in school and church programs. She had horrible stage fright and fear, until one day her friend invited her to join her to be a cheerleader for an elementary church basketball league. Over that short season she grew in self-confidence and self-advocacy.
Self-advocacy, in your daughter will allow her to speak and stand up for who she is and not what she looks like. In a selfie-saturated culture self-expression and self-confidence are reduced to a false self-image.
Teach Her Self-Discipline — “Discipline” and “disciple” come from the same root word and are connected in the life of our daughters. Our daughters require us to teach them self-control and self-discipline as they see themselves at disciples of Christ.
While students are into sports and working out, there still seems to be a lack of true deeper self-regulation and discipline. The selfie culture has demonstrated to our daughters a self-centeredness about who they are based on what they have, do and who they know.
We recently experienced this on over-drive in our life, during the homecoming season. My freshman daughter and her friends chose to keep life simple and may I say, “modest.” They enjoyed an evening of parents taking pictures and dinner, before heading to the big event. We talked in our home about a self-disciplined budget on a dress, shoes and other related items. We knew this is not the norm, as many to live out the social media perfect picture rented tuxes and limos, spending too much for just one evening.
Self-discipline as a disciple of Christ means we live and teach our daughters to live in a way that is Self-controlled (II Tim. 1:7). Empower your daughter to live a life of controlled strength based on who is on the inside, not what is on the outside. By doing this you will help her see beyond the social media feed and culture of “selfies.”
* For more great tips and help consider picking up “The Teen’s Guide to Social Media… and Mobile Devices: 21 Tips to Wise Posting in an Insecure World”
Dan Istvanik
DAN ISTVANIK is a Middle Years pastor in Lancaster, PA. He is a speaker, ministry coach and writer who has been working in youth ministry for over 20 years. Dan shares daily middle year ministry specific resources and hints on his site “The Middle Years” at MiddleYearsMinistry.com
Jeromesic
March 21, 2025 at 9:29 amalo 789 dang nh?p: alo 789 dang nh?p – alo789hk
Arthurwef
March 24, 2025 at 12:04 amhttps://indiamedfast.shop/# online pharmacy india
online canadian pharmacy
Jamesjiz
March 24, 2025 at 1:22 ambuying from online mexican pharmacy: Mexican Pharm International – Mexican Pharm Inter
Arthurwef
March 24, 2025 at 5:06 amhttp://interpharmonline.com/# online canadian pharmacy
canadian discount pharmacy
Jamesjiz
March 24, 2025 at 6:31 ambest canadian pharmacy to order from: most trusted canadian pharmacies online – canada pharmacy 24h
Arthurwef
March 24, 2025 at 10:36 amhttps://mexicanpharminter.com/# buying from online mexican pharmacy
certified canadian pharmacy
MonteMap
March 24, 2025 at 11:49 amdrugs from canada InterPharmOnline canadian pharmacy 24h com safe
Jamesjiz
March 24, 2025 at 12:07 pmcheapest online pharmacy india: online medicine shopping in india – india pharmacy without prescription
WillisLutle
March 24, 2025 at 1:28 pmhttps://indiamedfast.shop/# India Med Fast
Arthurwef
March 24, 2025 at 4:11 pmhttps://indiamedfast.com/# order medicines online india
canadian pharmacy ratings
Jamesjiz
March 24, 2025 at 5:46 pmcheapest online pharmacy india: IndiaMedFast.com – online medicine shopping in india
WillisLutle
March 24, 2025 at 7:19 pmhttps://interpharmonline.shop/# canadian online drugs
Arthurwef
March 24, 2025 at 10:20 pmhttps://interpharmonline.com/# canadian pharmacy meds
online canadian pharmacy
Georgetom
March 24, 2025 at 11:24 pmMexicanPharmInter: mexican pharmacy online store – mexican drug stores online
Jamesjiz
March 25, 2025 at 12:53 amMexican Pharm International: reliable mexican pharmacies – mexican drug stores online
WillisLutle
March 25, 2025 at 2:05 amhttps://indiamedfast.shop/# IndiaMedFast
Arthurwef
March 25, 2025 at 4:55 amhttps://interpharmonline.com/# canadian king pharmacy
my canadian pharmacy rx
Jamesjiz
March 25, 2025 at 8:22 amMexicanPharmInter: MexicanPharmInter – buying from online mexican pharmacy
WillisLutle
March 25, 2025 at 8:46 amhttps://mexicanpharminter.com/# mexican pharmacy online
Howardslutt
March 25, 2025 at 10:45 amtrustworthy canadian pharmacy: InterPharmOnline.com – canadian pharmacy prices
Arthurwef
March 25, 2025 at 11:31 amhttp://interpharmonline.com/# canada cloud pharmacy
canadian pharmacy no scripts
WillisLutle
March 25, 2025 at 3:38 pmhttps://mexicanpharminter.com/# buying from online mexican pharmacy
Jamesjiz
March 25, 2025 at 4:09 pmcanadadrugpharmacy com: canada pharmacy no prescription – vipps canadian pharmacy
Arthurwef
March 25, 2025 at 6:26 pmhttps://indiamedfast.com/# online pharmacy india
canadianpharmacyworld
Howardslutt
March 25, 2025 at 8:11 pmmy canadian pharmacy review: Pharmacies in Canada that ship to the US – best canadian online pharmacy
WillisLutle
March 25, 2025 at 10:44 pmhttps://mexicanpharminter.com/# Mexican Pharm International
KennethLus
March 26, 2025 at 12:33 amhttp://generic100mgeasy.com/# Generic 100mg Easy
GregoryAnter
March 26, 2025 at 1:43 amkamagra jelly kopen: Officiele Kamagra van Nederland – Kamagra Kopen
TerryErose
March 26, 2025 at 4:10 amhttps://tadalafileasybuy.shop/# Tadalafil Easy Buy
Williamben
March 26, 2025 at 4:49 amKamagraKopen.pro: kamagra jelly kopen – Kamagra
KennethLus
March 26, 2025 at 6:27 amhttps://generic100mgeasy.shop/# Generic100mgEasy
GregoryAnter
March 26, 2025 at 7:46 amTadalafil Easy Buy: Cheap Cialis – TadalafilEasyBuy.com
TerryErose
March 26, 2025 at 10:07 amhttps://generic100mgeasy.shop/# Generic100mgEasy
Williamben
March 26, 2025 at 11:56 amKamagra: KamagraKopen.pro – kamagra 100mg kopen
KennethLus
March 26, 2025 at 12:15 pmhttps://kamagrakopen.pro/# KamagraKopen.pro
GregoryAnter
March 26, 2025 at 1:43 pmcialis without a doctor prescription: TadalafilEasyBuy.com – TadalafilEasyBuy.com
TerryErose
March 26, 2025 at 4:05 pmhttps://kamagrakopen.pro/# Kamagra
DwayneLah
March 26, 2025 at 5:24 pmOrder Viagra 50 mg online buy generic 100mg viagra online buy generic 100mg viagra online
KennethLus
March 26, 2025 at 6:05 pmhttps://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra 100mg kopen
Williamben
March 26, 2025 at 7:15 pmKamagra: kamagra kopen nederland – kamagra gel kopen
GregoryAnter
March 26, 2025 at 7:56 pmTadalafil Easy Buy: TadalafilEasyBuy.com – Generic Cialis price
TerryErose
March 26, 2025 at 10:26 pmhttps://generic100mgeasy.shop/# best price for viagra 100mg
KennethLus
March 27, 2025 at 12:50 amhttp://generic100mgeasy.com/# Generic100mgEasy
Williamben
March 27, 2025 at 1:55 amGeneric 100mg Easy: Generic Viagra for sale – Generic100mgEasy
TerryErose
March 27, 2025 at 5:30 amhttps://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra jelly kopen
Williamben
March 27, 2025 at 7:55 ambuy generic 100mg viagra online: cheap viagra – Cheap generic Viagra
KennethLus
March 27, 2025 at 8:04 amhttps://tadalafileasybuy.com/# Cheap Cialis
GregoryAnter
March 27, 2025 at 11:15 amTadalafil Easy Buy: Tadalafil Easy Buy – cialis without a doctor prescription
TerryErose
March 27, 2025 at 12:16 pmhttps://tadalafileasybuy.shop/# Cialis 20mg price
Williamben
March 27, 2025 at 1:18 pmKamagra Kopen Online: kamagra pillen kopen – Officiele Kamagra van Nederland
KennethLus
March 27, 2025 at 2:32 pmhttp://tadalafileasybuy.com/# Tadalafil Easy Buy
GregoryAnter
March 27, 2025 at 6:26 pmGeneric100mgEasy: Generic 100mg Easy – order viagra
TerryErose
March 27, 2025 at 6:40 pmhttps://tadalafileasybuy.shop/# Tadalafil Easy Buy
KennethLus
March 27, 2025 at 9:01 pmhttp://tadalafileasybuy.com/# TadalafilEasyBuy.com
Williamben
March 28, 2025 at 12:02 amkamagra 100mg kopen: kamagra 100mg kopen – kamagra 100mg kopen
TerryErose
March 28, 2025 at 1:04 amhttps://kamagrakopen.pro/# KamagraKopen.pro
GregoryAnter
March 28, 2025 at 1:36 amTadalafilEasyBuy.com: Cialis 20mg price in USA – Tadalafil Easy Buy
KennethLus
March 28, 2025 at 3:25 amhttps://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra 100mg kopen
Williamben
March 28, 2025 at 6:23 amcialis without a doctor prescription: Tadalafil Easy Buy – Tadalafil Easy Buy
TerryErose
March 28, 2025 at 7:18 amhttps://tadalafileasybuy.com/# Cheap Cialis
GregoryAnter
March 28, 2025 at 8:34 amGeneric 100mg Easy: Viagra online price – Generic100mgEasy
KennethLus
March 28, 2025 at 9:35 amhttps://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra pillen kopen
TerryErose
March 28, 2025 at 1:22 pmhttps://tadalafileasybuy.shop/# Tadalafil Easy Buy
GregoryAnter
March 28, 2025 at 3:20 pmbuy generic 100mg viagra online: Generic 100mg Easy – cheap viagra
KennethLus
March 28, 2025 at 3:40 pmhttps://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra pillen kopen
TerryErose
March 28, 2025 at 7:26 pmhttps://tadalafileasybuy.com/# cialis without a doctor prescription
Jamesmig
March 28, 2025 at 9:04 pmпин ап зеркало – пин ап казино зеркало
Jessedib
March 28, 2025 at 10:00 pmпин ап зеркало: https://pinupkz.life/
Williampaics
March 29, 2025 at 1:00 amпин ап зеркало – пинап казино
Jamesmig
March 29, 2025 at 3:09 amпин ап вход – пин ап казино зеркало
DwayneLah
March 29, 2025 at 3:52 amGeneric 100mg Easy buy generic 100mg viagra online cheap viagra
Jessedib
March 29, 2025 at 4:22 amпин ап: https://pinupkz.life/
Williampaics
March 29, 2025 at 7:06 amпинап казино – пин ап вход
Jamesmig
March 29, 2025 at 9:35 amпин ап вход – пин ап казино
Jessedib
March 29, 2025 at 11:06 amпин ап: https://pinupkz.life/
Jamesmig
March 29, 2025 at 10:26 pmпин ап казино официальный сайт – пин ап
Jessedib
March 30, 2025 at 12:20 ampinup 2025: https://pinupkz.life/
Williampaics
March 30, 2025 at 1:24 amпинап казино – пин ап казино официальный сайт
Jamesmig
March 30, 2025 at 4:48 ampinup 2025 – pinup 2025
Jessedib
March 30, 2025 at 7:06 amпин ап зеркало: https://pinupkz.life/
Williampaics
March 30, 2025 at 7:44 amпин ап казино зеркало – пин ап вход
Jamesmig
March 30, 2025 at 11:20 amпин ап – пин ап казино официальный сайт
Jessedib
March 30, 2025 at 2:05 pmпин ап вход: https://pinupkz.life/
Williampaics
March 30, 2025 at 2:12 pmpinup 2025 – пин ап казино
Jamesmig
March 30, 2025 at 5:43 pmпин ап вход – пин ап казино
Jessedib
March 30, 2025 at 9:06 pmпинап казино: https://pinupkz.life/