Perth parents offer kids $5,000 incentive to keep off social media

"One family offered their kids $10k, but we thought this was more reasonable." So, did it work?

As parents, we face the growing challenge of managing our children's and teenagers' social media use. 

But one Perth-based family has come up with a unique approach to address this issue, offering their kids $5,000 each to stay off social media until they finish high school.

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They have their "eye on the prize"

Rhiannon, a mum of three, and her husband, Ben, have introduced the incentive to their children, aged 15, 13, and 11. 

"For us, there were a few different reasons why we didn't want our children using social media, but one was the impact on their mental health," Rhiannon explained to the ABC.

She started witnessing kids and young adults around them who seemed glued to their phones and often struggled to be present in the moment.

So, Rhiannon and Ben implemented a plan when their eldest child turned 12 and got a phone for his birthday.

They signed a contract with him, which allowed them to check his phone while still respecting his privacy. Initially, they managed to delay him from signing up for social media platforms like Snapchat, which is popular among his friends.

Image: IStock

However, when he was nearly 15, the idea of the $5,000 incentive was born.

"I'd been talking to other parents and my mum and dad … and someone mentioned a family where the parents, who were doctors, had given their children $10,000 or something ridiculous to stay off [social media] until year 12, and their children all accepted that," Rhiannon recounted.

She thought it was an "amazing" idea but decided $5,000 per child was more feasible for their family.

Despite the appealing offer, their eldest chose to use Snapchat over the $5,000 incentive.

But their second child has his "eye on the prize" of earning the $5,000. "He doesn't care how he communicates with his friends—he will find a way," Rhiannon noted. "He wants the five grand, and he is not moving on that. He's decided he's buying a boat at the end of year 12."

Their youngest daughter, who will likely get a phone in year seven, also seems keen on earning the money. 

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Parents are divided

In the comments on social media (ironically), people praised the parents' decision.

"As a parent to early primary school-aged children, this is the most scary thing about parenthood for me — social media!" said one.

"I don’t think I could be more grateful that I didn’t grow up with social media as a young kid. It was still new when I was starting highschool," said a second.

"Great parenting!" a third replied. 

However, others were more skeptical.

"Not a bad idea, but they’re definitely using it behind the parents’ backs, lol," one suggested.

"You shouldn't have to bribe your kids - just put your foot down and parent," concluded someone else. 

Originally published as Perth parents offer kids $5,000 incentive to keep off social media