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Even the younger generations have difficulties keeping up with technology trends, so it's no surprise their parents sometimes struggle too.

TikTok user @alij4l got interested in the funny ways this manifests and has been collecting unintentionally unsettling messages moms and dads sent their kids.

While screen time often interferes with family life, for some, text messages have become a digital medium that helps parents communicate with their children. Though it is too one-dimensional for involved conversations, texting can give you a way to express yourself.

Amy Kossoff Smith said texting helps her get the attention of her three teenage sons, ages 13, 16, and 18. When she or her husband Mitch calls them to dinner from downstairs, they have two choices: “We can yell at the top of our lungs three to four times. Or we can pull our phones out and text them," Ms. Smith explained. "When we get into their zone, we usually get a much quicker response."

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Wilfredo
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is why it is important to use the proper words for describing things or events.

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Like many parents, Ms. Smith finds it convenient to text from room to room within the house. Teens are already talking to their friends via text, making it easy for parents to communicate the same way.

Ms. Smith texts her sons with reminders that she's leaving on an errand in five minutes or that it is time to get ready for bed.

Her 13-year-old son, Noah, often texts her to get permission to go out with friends, Ms. Smith added.

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The mom draws the line at mealtimes: she bans phones at the table.

And it makes sense. The 8.6% of teens who text frequently during family meals tend to have poorer family communication overall, according to a study of 1,858 parents published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

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Bozo B. Clown
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol, I feel like one of my family would do that, and then my younger brother would actually call the authorities and take the joke too far.

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Tamra
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alright, this one's not funny at all. There's really no way to interpret this as something good. Geez.

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According to Catherine Steiner-Adair, a clinical psychologist, school consultant, and author of 'The Big Disconnect,' a book on technology and family relationships, texting shouldn't be allowed to reduce face-to-face conversations or enable teens to avoid difficult issues.

She noted that painful, awkward, tough conversations between parent and child are where children learn so much about the relational dynamics that are a part of adulthood.

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However, Dr. Steiner-Adair also said that children of all ages have told her there were times when they’d started a really difficult conversation in a text because that was the only way they could find the courage.

So this modern means of communication can very well bridge some gaps between us. We just need to remember that misunderstandings and humorous exchanges will arise since every generation has its own habits of interacting.

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volcanic_larva3
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8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

average autocorrect moment edit: i decided to make a question about this!: https://www.boredpanda.com/hey-pandas-what-was-the-most-random-word-you-autocorrect-generated/

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Petra D.
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad had cancer for 10 years. He and my mom had The bad habit of texting "we need to talk" or "call me" ir just my name. 10 years responding in panic Just to hear "oh no, everythings fine. We Just wanted to talk, or see The kids or whatever". Very anxiety inducing. Specially on his last months 🫠🥲

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Bryn
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was going to say she passed blood. Either way, that's worrying.

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Susan Bosse
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom STALKS us on 360. I made her a shirt that says "I stalk my family #Life360"!! She texted me early one Saturday and asked if we had electricity. Later when I woke up, I replied "yes," and asked why. She said "Your phone is on 9% battery and Will's (my son) is dead." Lady. We are ASLEEP!! That's just ONE story of many.

The Sassy Wife
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter stalks me too. "I see you're at the mall. Bath & Bodyworks again?!"... "That's not your usual route home"... "Really Mom, the pet store again?! We don't have pets" In my defence, I like to get treats for the neighbourhood dogs. Mostly it's all in good fun between her and I.

Verena
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I could google this, but maybe some kind soul could explain what this is and why it is a necessary app (?) to have?

_-DungeonKeeper-_
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It allows you to see where someone is if their phone and location is on. My parents use it to make sure I'm home safe, it has a bad rep but its not always used by controlling parent

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Allie Herz
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My parents got it because in high school my brother had a habit of going out with friends and not picking up his phone. He would be gone for hours with no word on when he might be home. They would start calling friends to see if they were with him🤦🏼‍♀️

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Note: this post originally had 55 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.