Sarah Connor on Parenting and Social Media in the Age of TikTok
Berlin-based singer Sarah Connor has spoken out about the challenges of social media and the impact it has on young people, particularly children, in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung. In her new album “Freigeistin”, Connor tackles the topic of online hate and the importance of setting boundaries.
When asked about her song “Ficka” and the possibility of it being consumed by children on social media platforms like TikTok, Connor expressed her concerns. “If a 10-year-old is on TikTok, the parents have failed and they need to start somewhere else, not with my song” she said.
Connor’s song “Ficka” is a reflection of the online hate she has faced and she has re-released an edited version of the track, titled “Spinner”, to avoid any potential controversy. “I don’t want parents to have to explain the lyrics of ‘Ficka’ to their children because it’s being played on the radio” she explained.
As a mother of four, Connor has a unique perspective on the issue of social media and parenting. Her older children, a 21-year-old son and an 18-year-old daughter, have moved to England for university, while her younger children and husband live with her in southern France, where she appreciates the anonymity. The family is set to return to Berlin soon.