As parents, our most important job is protecting our kids. That means we’re always on the lookout for everything from the imaginary monsters hiding under their beds to the real monsters hiding behind their phones and computer screens. It’s why I’ve been trying with all of my might to keep my 11- and 13-year-old kids away from social media.
Before you say anything, my rational self already knows that there’s no way to completely shield them from bullies on the playground or in cyberspace. But the irrational mama bear in me really wants to try. Because, as enticing as it may seem to have followers across the Internet, the truth is, people can be really mean. If you don’t believe me, ask Beyoncé.
Her 11-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, was all over the Internet this summer in clips of her performing alongside her megastar mom on the Renaissance World Tour. Blue frequently joined Bey on stage during performances of her hits “My Power” and “Black Parade.” And the early reviews weren’t always nice. For every fan cheering Blue Ivy on, there were at least twice as many haters criticizing her dance moves.
A New York Times review of “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,” the star’s soon-to-be released concert film, reveals that Queen Bey was not exactly on board with letting Blue take the stage at first.
“She told me she was ready to perform, and I told her no,” Beyoncé says in the film.
She eventually gave in and let Blue perform. But when the comments came in, the mama bear in Bey wasn’t happy.
“Beyoncé was dismayed when Blue Ivy read comments on social media that criticized her lackluster moves,” the review reads.
But rather than give up, Blue Ivy took the criticism as a challenge and worked harder than ever – something that fans and haters alike couldn’t help but notice.
“#BlueIvy read yall negative comments and simply said oh ok and killed the rest of the tour,” wrote one user on X, formerly known as Twitter.
As the tour progressed, it was clear that the tiny star-in-training could hold her own next to the professional dancers on stage.
I don’t know if Blue Ivy’s profile in courage is going to make me give in on my no social media rule right now. But this 11-year-old superstar has made it clear that kids are often stronger than we think.