Erin Napier, cohost of HGTV’s Home Town, is keeping her daughters off social media to protect them from online critics. She had a negative experience when someone criticized her daughter’s appearance and believes that the criticism often comes from other women. She and her husband have an agreement with other families to keep their kids off social media and smartphones, and they have also launched a nonprofit called Osprey to promote a social media-free childhood until high school graduation.
Erin Napier is determined to protect her daughters from online criticism by keeping them off social media and smartphones, launching a nonprofit called Osprey to support parents in creating social media-free childhoods for their kids.
Title: Erin Napier’s Parenting Decision: Choosing a Social Media-Free Childhood for Her Daughters
In a heartfelt personal essay published on Today.com, Erin Napier, co-host of HGTV’s Home Town and mother of two, opened up about her decision to keep her daughters away from social media. Erin shared her experience with online critics and how it motivated her to protect her children from the negativity that can arise from the digital world.
The catalyst for Erin’s decision came when a photo she posted of her young daughter, Helen, received hurtful comments about her appearance. The criticism, coming from other women, deeply affected Erin, causing her to question the intentions of fellow mothers and the importance of protecting her children’s innocence. Fueled by her inner motherly instinct to shield her daughters from this negativity, Erin decided it was time to take action.
Alongside her husband Ben, Erin forged an agreement with three other families to support each other in keeping their children off social media and away from smartphones. Recognizing the need for balance and acknowledging the importance of staying connected with the world, Erin clarified that her intention is not to isolate her daughters entirely. Instead, she plans to introduce limited phone usage to her girls when they are old enough to drive, primarily for the purpose of listening to music.
To affirm their commitment to creating social media-free childhoods for kids, Erin and Ben recently launched a non-profit organization called Osprey. Osprey’s mission is to provide support for parents who share the same concern about their children’s exposure to social media, ensuring a safe and healthy upbringing until high school graduation. The initiative was inspired by a close friend’s daughter, who felt like an outcast within her friend group for not having a social media presence.
Erin Napier has been candid about her disdain for social media trolls, emphasizing that online behavior should match real-life interactions. In past interviews, she has expressed her firm stance against allowing rude comments from mom shamers on her platforms. Erin doesn’t hesitate to block individuals who cross the line and reminds them that their behavior is unacceptable.
While Erin and Ben occasionally post photos on Instagram, they purposely avoid showing their daughters’ faces. They believe that determining the right level of privacy is a personal choice for every family, acknowledging that what works for them may not work for others.
Erin Napier’s dedication to shielding her daughters from the negativity of social media serves as an inspiration for many parents. Her decision to prioritize their emotional well-being shows the power of setting boundaries and the importance of cultivating a safe and nurturing offline environment.
