Sean Szeps, an influencer and entrepreneur that’s been changing the digital marketing game since 2011. Having just personal to Herrmann’s temporary community role, he faced the rapid development of media firsthand. Since then, he’s been there in awe as it’s undergone amazing metamorphosis. These platforms have matured immensely, paving the way for today’s influencers and content creators. They’ve transformed the ways in which parents connect with each other, learn from each other and collectively decide what’s best for their children.
The social media landscape has shifted significantly since then. From Brooklyn to Bahrain, parents are able to find community with one another today like never before. Perhaps most notably, women have sought out and created these platforms to discuss, reflect upon, and communicate the unfiltered truths of being a parent. This recent influx has contributed to a powerful kinship among parents. Today, they can experience community and connection, despite having to navigate their journeys alone in the past. As Szeps explains, this exchange of experiences, insights and ideas is often the lifeline many parents need to successfully maneuver the world of raising children today.
One recent online catchphrase has taken off largely due to social media, and that’s gentle parenting. This approach positively encourages the cultivation of empathy, understanding and respect in all child-rearing institutions and practices. Szeps is optimistic that social media movements such as gentle parenting can have a lasting impact on how people navigate this new path into parenthood. He emphasizes how instrumental these platforms are in influencing perceptions and practices in cyberspace and in parenting communities around the world.
Szeps raises a critical question: Would someone share a post detailing a difficult parenting experience with a friend without first seeking their permission? This line of questioning highlights the nuanced difficulty of sharing personal narratives on the internet. Whether they realize it or not, parents are faced with millions of micro-decisions every day, and social media influences many of these decisions in significant ways. Parents can easily be swayed by the content that floods their feeds, either via uplifting anecdotes or discouraging narratives.
Since striking out on his own into the world of social media, Szeps has cultivated an incredible audience. This spectacular success has allowed him to make his hobby a financially sustainable career. He understands that power has moved from mainstream media institutions. Today, the social media stars are in control, with the ability to reach millions of people with short, simple posts.
Szeps’ background and lived experience inform his artistic vision and practice. He is a noted practitioner in the field, as well as a student of social media at the university level. This unique dual role gives him a front-row seat to the trends and innovations that are defining the future of our industry.
After legislative wins in South Australia, Australia has passed significant new legislation. These actions aim to restrict social media use for people under age 16. These regulatory measures are a clear indication that there is an increasing concern over the effects of social media on younger audiences. Ironically, the founders of TikTok, Instagram and even Meta (formerly Facebook) would beg to differ. From the outset, they do not even allow their own children to access these applications.
Looking forward, Szeps believes there will be more changes in the social media space. As new challenges and opportunities emerge, he looks forward to seeing more regulatory and policy guidelines that shape online behavior. This evolution will most certainly have an impact on how we talk about and approach parenting digitally.
