Kids Are Now ‘Sadfishing’ Each Other. Here Is What Parents Need To Know About It.

Being a parent is just super hard. It seems like there are things at every twist and turn to complicate the already complex and difficult world that kids are living in.

My daughter just turned 13, and her personality has gone from a bubbly and happy child to an angry and sad teenager. I am already worried about depression and sadness.

Now, I learn I need to know something about ‘Sadfishing,’ and I seriously can’t keep up, y’all.

There are just too many things, between all the bullying, weird abbreviation lingo they use when they text, TikTok trends, worrying about what they see on social media, etc — It’s too much.

Here Is What Parents Need To Know About Sadfishing

So basically, sadfishing is when someone posts a sad picture — often of them looking depressed or crying — and they tell a really emotional story — usually of something that has happened to them.

Sometimes they are serious and true, but then there are other times that these posts are simply a cry for attention.

I mean, I have seen some people post pics of how they aren’t dealing too well with their kids — I’m guilty of this — or sometimes they post about how life is crumbling around them, and they are serious.

It is a fine line, because sometimes teens will post a real cry for help out in social media land. But, then sometimes they are just throwing themselves a pitty party, and they are trying to give you an invitation to this party.

You have to be REALLY careful, and have actual and real conversations with your teens about what is going on in their lives.

We all know that Facebook world is not the real world. People can post whatever they want, to make their reality whatever they want people to perceive it to be.

So, it is up to YOU, parent, to find out if your teen is just seeking positive affirmations, or if they are legitimately going through something.

Even if your teen is acting happy and “normal” around you, if they post something that warrants help, FOLLOW UP with them. Don’t just assume they are okay.

Basically, sadfishing is just ANOTHER thing that we, as parents, need to follow up with and keep track of.

We don’t want to feed into a pitty party, but if your teen really needs some help, they need to get it.

It is also important to note that this sadfishing is contagious, especially to teens who are trying to fit in.

Good luck out there, fellow parents! You got this.