Mother Cuts Off Daughter's Phone and Internet Because She Is Spreading Lies About Family on TikTok to Gain Attention

If there were one job in the world that could be considered the most challenging of them all, it would almost certainly be parenting. Being a parent means taking on more responsibility and stress, with no compensation—technically speaking, they often earn less money the longer they spend raising children.

These individuals have to juggle their well-being, their relationships, and their careers while being expected to raise their children in the best possible way. Unfortunately, there is no handbook on how to raise a child—after all, each kid is different, and what works for one may not work for another.

While many try their hardest to establish the right rules and give everything they can to their child, there are many instances where their kid does not turn out the way their parents expect. One example is found in this Reddit post—essentially, the daughter literally does nothing but spread lies on the internet through her TikTok account, which has 10k followers.

The mom recognizes her lapses as a parent, even though she did her best to raise her daughter the right way. She contemplates the appropriate solution—although some may call it a punishment.

Although she seems to have found the “right” remedy to the problem at hand, she second-guesses her decision. Was she being an a-hole?

Here's the situation:

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OP is the mom of Jane. She acknowledges herself and her husband as imperfect parents but does their best for their child.

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Jane allegedly has a lot of trauma, according to herself. She stated that one of these traumas that have affected her so much was her mother’s migraine.

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Understanding the Dynamics of Family Conflict

Dr. Mary Smith, a clinical psychologist, emphasizes that familial relationships are often fraught with emotional complexities, especially in the age of social media.

Research indicates that social media can amplify existing tensions, leading to heightened misunderstandings and miscommunications.

When a family member feels wronged, as this daughter does, the emotional fallout can create a vicious cycle of blame and retaliation.

Another trauma was her mom going to work. Apparently, dinner not being served to her as soon as Jane arrives home is traumatic.

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The daughter literally does nothing all day—no work, no chores. Instead, all she does is post on her TikTok account, which has over 10k followers, making videos badmouthing her mom and spreading lies about their life.

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Many of her TikTok posts received nasty comments—most of which talked about her allegedly awful parents who have traumatized her. Naturally, OP confronted her daughter.

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From a psychological standpoint, this situation can be viewed through the lens of attachment theory, which illustrates how early relationships shape our adult interactions. According to Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, "Individuals with insecure attachment styles often engage in attention-seeking behaviors as a way to cope with feelings of inadequacy." This daughter's actions could represent an attempt to reclaim agency in a family dynamic where she feels powerless, as noted by Dr. Daniel Gilbert, a happiness researcher, who states, "People often act out when they feel their emotional needs are not being met."

OP thought it was best to turn off the Wi-Fi and cancel her daughter’s phone subscription. Of course, Jane thought it was unfair, but even her husband believed it was too much of a punishment that would eventually backfire.

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Not the asshole—Jane was in the wrong. The best solution is probably therapy.

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To apply for a job, as that Redditor suggested, Jane needs the internet. True, but OP’s response is that the daughter can access it through the library, so it shouldn’t really be a problem.

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The Role of Social Media in Family Dynamics

Research shows that platforms like TikTok can distort perceptions of reality, leading users to create exaggerated narratives for attention.

Dr. Julianne Sanders, a media psychologist, found that the curated nature of social media often encourages individuals to portray an idealized version of their lives, which can conflict with family values.

This dissonance can lead to severe repercussions in real-life relationships, as family members feel compelled to defend their reputations against public scrutiny.

The phone and the internet are not necessarily needed when applying for work. This just sounds like an excuse for not wanting to put in the effort to get a job.

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This person says Jane seems to have a “problem”: her lack of trauma. She has it good but doesn’t realize it.

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Jane deserved the punishment. A spoiled child should be treated as one.

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Conflict resolution strategies are essential in addressing the fallout from this situation.

Experts recommend initiating open dialogues where family members can express feelings without fear of judgment.

Using techniques like active listening and empathy can help bridge the gap created by misunderstandings, ultimately fostering healthier relationships.

OP is not the asshole in this situation. However, she was an asshole for raising her daughter like this.

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OP’s rebuttal to that comment. They tried to get Jane to do something, but she always had an excuse.

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Jane seems to be some sort of attention-seeker.

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Addressing Attention-Seeking Behavior

Attention-seeking behavior is often rooted in deeper psychological needs, such as validation and connection.

Studies indicate that individuals who engage in such behaviors may be experiencing feelings of inadequacy or loneliness.

Understanding this can help family members approach the situation with compassion rather than anger, as they seek to address the underlying issues driving such behavior.

OP and the daughter should discuss this in therapy.

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Jane has it so good in comparison to this Redditor’s experience.

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Trauma is a serious issue, and therapy is one way to help ease it, which is not cheap.

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Psychological perspectives suggest that involving a neutral third party, like a family therapist, could provide a safe space for dialogue.

Therapists trained in family dynamics can facilitate discussions that allow for healing and understanding.

Research shows that mediation can lead to improved family cohesion and reduced conflict.

The internet is not the problem; it’s OP’s parenting that has caused Jane to be like this.

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They should have gotten their daughter therapy years ago.

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It appears that OP has offered her daughter therapy, which Jane has refused. Kicking her daughter out is not an easy decision either—OP doesn’t want her daughter to be homeless.

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The Psychological Impact of Public Scrutiny

Being the subject of public criticism can have lasting effects on an individual's mental health.

Dr. Caroline Lee from Yale University notes that individuals subjected to public shaming often experience increased anxiety and depression.

Understanding the psychological toll of public perception can help families navigate these challenges with greater sensitivity.

Everyone sucks here. Jane has issues, but OP has her own too.

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Freedom of speech is a valid excuse, but it comes with consequences. Jane can do whatever she wants using her own money, not her parents', especially when she is talking negatively about them.

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If not having an internet connection is so hard, then Jane should just go get a job. Then she can pay for it herself.

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Fostering a supportive environment at home can counteract the negative effects of social media exposure.

Encouraging family bonding activities that promote shared experiences can help reinforce connections and reduce reliance on external validation.

Research indicates that strengthening familial ties can mitigate the impact of social media on individual behavior.

Parenting is no easy feat. Sometimes, everything seems great at the start but doesn’t necessarily end the way you want it to.

Being a parent is a continuous learning process, making and patching things up along the way. Good parents can only hope that their children turn out to be good people, ready and capable of facing the challenges of life.

What do you think about this story? Comment below and share this with your family to see what they think!

Psychological Analysis

This situation highlights how social media can dramatically influence interpersonal relationships, particularly within families.

The daughter's behavior may be a cry for help, indicating deeper issues that need to be addressed rather than simply dismissed as attention-seeking.

Analysis generated by AI

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

The complexities of family dynamics are heightened in today's digital age, where social media can exacerbate existing tensions.

As noted by Dr. Esther Perel, a renowned couples therapist, "The digital age has transformed how we communicate, often amplifying misunderstandings and conflicts." Understanding the underlying motivations behind behavior is crucial for healing and rebuilding trust. With appropriate interventions, families can navigate these challenges and emerge stronger, as emphasized by Dr. John Gottman, a leading marriage researcher, who states, "Healthy communication is the cornerstone of any relationship."