Facebook Campaigns to Convince Parents to Get A Pet
I am sure you have seen these Facebook Campaigns where “children” (some could just be scams to get a picture to go viral) get on Facebook and say if we get X numbers of likes on this picture our mom and dad will get us a dog / cat / horse. You get the idea. Ok sure its fun to see how fast the kids can get to a million likes on the picture but really getting a new puppy or kitten or pony is not as easy as getting a million people to like a picture. Great you now have a million likes or whatever the absurd number is but a pet is a lot of responsibility. Those million people are not going to help your family pay the vet bills or food bills for your new pet. Those million people are not going to walk the dog when it is freezing rain or ride the horse for you when you want to be hanging out with your friends.
So really what are we teaching children by clicking like on those pictures? Certainly not that pets are a major responsibility. And certainly not that having a pet is as easy as a bunch of strangers clicking like on a picture. While mom and dad might have thought the target number would never happens what if it does in under 13 hours like the most recent campaign for a pet so now you as a parent have to say what? Either ok lets go pick it out or no sorry kids we aren’t ready for a new pet. The most recent family to get to their million likes had a dog that passed away due to cancer so they do know the responsibility and cost associated with owning a dog and the parents probably weren’t ready for a new addition whether it was because of grief, time, or financial capability.
For most adults they would see this as a stalling tactic telling their child sure go ahead and post Facebook Campaigns to Convince Parents to Get a Pet. But it backfires because everyone initial reaction is sure every little boy or girl should have a pet so they click like or they click like because hey its not their kid and they aren’t the ones that now have to take on the added responsibility. Plus in all the cases I have seen of similar Facebook campaigns the child / children get to the target and within days the family has a new dog or cat. There is no waiting to make sure they have all the supplies they need or the time to take care of a new addition the pressure from strangers is so high that they have to run out and get the promised animal. Even rescues ramp up the pressure with invitations to visit their facilities where they promise to showcase all their available puppies or kittens to the family. Heck they can even accommodate them after school that day.
What do you think about these Facebook Campaigns to Convince Parents to Get A Pet
I’ve not seen any of these but I wouldn’t click like. My first thought would be a scam to get likes and even if it’s not, like you said, facebook shouldn’t be making decisions for our lives anyways. My kids want another dog and another cat but we are teaching them that it would be unwise as we can’t afford one right now and our old cat wouldn’t adjust well to another pet so we need to wait.
Kathleen recently posted..GIVEAWAY: Pepto Bismol Kit–CAN–01/12
If it is a stall tactic by the parents then the parents are wrong. They should be honest with the kids.
I’ve never seen one, but I think it’s a diversionary tactic and not sending the right message. The parents should let the kids petsit for a weekend and have a frank talk after about the real life responsibilities of having a pet.
Teresha F recently posted..Save Big on Green Products
Although I agree with many of your points, there are also positive reasons that parents may have. In many cases the parents might know already that they are going to purchase a pet and they have their kids do a Facebook campaign for fun.
Although I do think at times that there might be a certain amount of hope that the children fail (ie. go ask your father or mother and if he/she says yes type of thing) I believe most parents probably view it as a fun way to get their children involved; much like President Obama did during his first campaign for president (although he did promise to get a dog win or lose). Personally I don’t think parents are really using this as a stalling tactic although some may be doing so. Most people now-a-days know that things like this can go viral quickly. The parents may be having fun as well, to see just how fast the children can get to the magical number.
During these campaigns the children are also introduced to many comments from viewers as well; most with good advice, wishes, etc. as well as individuals introducing the children to various breeds and options to the pet.
Your points are well taken though. Bottom line is that ALL people need to make sure they are ready for all the responsibilities to owning and caring for a pet.
I question if some of them are real….And I also am concerned about exposing kids so young to social media.
You brought up a valid point. I have to admit, I didn’t think about this aspect when I liked this picture few days ago
Lena recently posted..Fighting 3 O’Clock Slump with Slimgenics
I saw this but figured it was a scam, interesting to think how it actually effects the future of the family and the kids. I saw something today with a picture of them with the adopted puppy.
I never click “like”on those things but I have never put thought into any of it either, now I will.
I don’t like any kind of voting campaigns. They all seem like a big popularity contest to me.
I definitely think getting a pet should involve more decision making than whether some kids can get a certain amount of {possibly unattainable} people to like their pic.
Dawn
Dawn recently posted..National Popcorn Day: What Is Your Favorite Type Of Popcorn?
Seems like a scam, but bless the child that tries. Kind of pathetic though..
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I agree on your argument. Does seem like scam and we would have to be careful on what we click.
lelaniedenso recently posted..Be My Valentines DIY Crafting Round-Up
I saw this just the other day and thought it was such a fun and creative way to get a pet. We just begged my dad until he got so tired of hearing about it that he went out one night and came home with a dog. – Katy
Katy recently posted..Beauty Goals for 2013
This is too cute! I’d better not show it to my daughter or she’ll start her own campaign.
Jenn @comebackmomma recently posted..Foodie Friday Recipe- Easy & Healthy Turkey Chili
OMG – too cute! I can’t wait til my little guy gets old enough to do stuff like this!
Jeana recently posted..DIY Beach Cottage: Outdoor Showers
I’m not a fan of campaigns like this. I wouldn’t want 1 million strangers seeing my kids pic. Get them a dog though by all meas! 🙂
Krystle(Baking Beauty) recently posted..New Kate Somerville Products
I haven’t seen this but I completely agree!! A pet, while cute, cuddly and sweet at 1st does turn into work, time and $$.
A better tactic for the parents would maybe say ‘Go volunteer at the shelter for XX days a month, learn to care for, train and clean up after those animals and then we’ll talk about getting one’… Why must all aspects of ‘life’ turn into a FB sharing and/or drama session?
Grandma Juice recently posted..This Week’s Best Shit Found On The Web – The Internet Made Me Laugh
Yours seems like one of the best ideas yet!
Awsome
great idea… i should try it sometime