I have a 13 year who rides bikes and plays too! I hate the idea of her using any substance. But I also happen to know people who have had their families torn apart by the state. I promise it is much worse. Substance abuse and mental health treatment would be where I would start. I like the idea of reaching out to school counselor for resourcs. I'm sorry but if this parent is close enough to follow the kid on social media she can reach out to the family, not call CPS, one of the most brutal governmental agencies.

The intense lifelong trauma from family separation is worse- siblings separated, parent(s) possibly jailed for neglect, family members fighting over who has to take the kids, etc. I promise that you will not be helping this kid no matter what you think.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the people saying to call CPS, do you know how traumatic that would be to the whole family? For pot?

You would absolutely do more harm than good. Family separation, loss of school community, etc. If you want to help the kid, be a support, don't tear them apart!

Do you have a 12 year old?! I do. He’s still a little boy in most respects. Rides bikes to get slurped with friends on the weekends, plays little league, Minecraft, plays tag with his little sister. He has a child’s body, probably no more than 80 lbs. The idea of a kid smoking pot should be shocking and disgusting to anyone, regardless of your feelings about grown adults smoking.

*slurpees* not slurped

Anonymous wrote:To the people saying to call CPS, do you know how traumatic that would be to the whole family? For pot?

You would absolutely do more harm than good. Family separation, loss of school community, etc. If you want to help the kid, be a support, don't tear them apart!

Do you have a 12 year old?! I do. He’s still a little boy in most respects. Rides bikes to get slurped with friends on the weekends, plays little league, Minecraft, plays tag with his little sister. He has a child’s body, probably no more than 80 lbs. The idea of a kid smoking pot should be shocking and disgusting to anyone, regardless of your feelings about grown adults smoking.

That is awful. I have two uncles who smoked pot that young. One has struggled with substance abuse and mental health his entire life and is currently in jail. The other is dead at 55 from drug and alcohol-related health problems and spent most of his life homeless.

Anonymous wrote:At the very least, it should be reported to Instagram and and the account should be deactivated. Isn't the minimum age officially 13? I know a lot of younger kids use it anyway, but when photos depict an illegal act, it violates all sorts of rules. Second, I think you should contact the parent whether you know them or not. If she really is smoking pot or anything else, the parent needs to know ASAP.

+1

I also like the recommendation to tell the school counselor.

I guarantee that the damage to this kid will be far worse if CPS is called than if she smokes weed.