A mother from Minnesota believes that it's worth paying her son $1,800 to stay off social media for six years, and she fulfilled this promise of a cash reward when her son turned 18 years old on Wednesday, February 9, 2022.
In 2016, Lorna Goldstrand Klefsaas challenged her son, Sivert Klefsaas, who was then 12 years old, to stay off social media for six years. Lorna told Sivert that she would reward him $1,800 if he could commit to this challenge until after he turned 18 years old.
The mom told CNN that she got the idea on a radio show where another mother also promised $1,600 to her daughter for her 16th birthday on the condition that she doesn't use social media. Lorna thought to up the ante and made this pact with her son for this 18th birthday.
Sivert Breezes Through Mom's Challenge
Lorna also shared that Sivert's older sister was obsessed with social media to the point that it affected her mood and friendships with her peers. Lorna had to intervene and take her daughter's phone for three weeks, but instead of being upset, the daughter thanked her parents for what they did. This led to the realization that, as parents, they need to ensure that their younger child won't go through the same experience.
Fortunately, Sivert agreed to his mom's challenge because he was not a social media user back then. He figured he would not miss what he's not used to. The child said that he tried Snapchat before the bet with his mom, but he deleted the app after 24 hours.
As a competitive person, the teenager said that he treated the bet like an actual contest and can't remember a time when he was about to give up on the challenge. He was determined to make it till the end, and it helped that his mother had the confidence that he would do well. Lorna didn't have to constantly check Sivert's phone.
But to keep updated on what's trendy, Sivert had friends constantly on social media. They are the ones who kept the boy in the loop.
Not Against Social Media
On his 18th birthday, Sivert celebrated winning the challenge by creating an Instagram account. He said that there is a learning curve to the app, and he's still trying to figure out the rest of how social media works. He also got the money his mother promised him, which he plans to use for something he'll need in his dorm room at the University of Northwestern St. Paul this fall.
Meanwhile, the proud Minnesota mom said that they are not against social media per se, but it was important for her to teach her kids to use the apps in a healthy manner. She believes that Sivert would have a different perspective if he did not stay off social media for six years. According to one study, kids exposed a lot less to social media have more positive mental health.
