Mother beats daughter in livestreamed 'punishment' sparking new debate on social media parenting
A US mother has reignited controversy of using social media to shame children, after using Facebook to broadcast footage of her beating her 16-year-old daughter.
Shanavia Miller, from Georgia, took over her daughter Nia’s Facebook page last week, declaring she was about to make an example of her daughter for posting a suggestive photograph of herself dressed in a towel with an unnamed boy.
What followed was four minutes of violence, which began with Miller beating the girl with what appeared to be a lump of wood.
By the time the blows subsided, Miller had employed the weapon, fists and feet to strike the cowering teenager.
The video quickly went viral and caught the attention of police.
It also sparked an outpouring of criticism for the mother, as well as torrent of support and encouragement for her actions.
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department told the Washington Post it had spoken with Nia who had told them she felt safe.
A spokeswoman for the department said no charges had been filed against the mother but the case had been reported to child protection authorities.
The video has been posted to, and removed from YouTube, several times but is still acquiring tens of thousands of views across social media channels, prompting responses from both the mother and the daughter on Nia’s Facebook page.
“I understand why she did what she did . (sic) Everybody laughing and making reenactments,” Nia wrote.
“Sharing my pictures im (sic) seeing everything. I did go to the hospital only because i have exotic attacks & real bad head ache.
“I embarrassed my moma so she embarrassed me . Im not defending the live video cas when school start next week all eyes on me . Im at work all eyes on me . I kno next time to just keep my business to myself.”
Nia has also rejected social media claims that she had committed suicide.
Miller took over Nia’s Facebook page a second time to post her response to the social media storm.
“I love my daughter with all my heart what ever (sic) happens after this o well my daughter is not going to disrespect me or herselffor (sic) nobody that s**t Bernie Mac !!!” she wrote.
“Ain't nothing change she still my baby girl… lesson learned now have a blessed day.”
The video of Nia’s beating is the latest in a long line of social media shaming stunts by parents aimed at putting their children on the straight and narrow.
Izabel Laxamana, 13, became an international news story in July 2015 after reports emerged she had committed suicide by throwing herself from a moving car on a bridge in Tacoma, Washington after a similar incident.
In that case her father posted a video online of him giving the girl a haircut as punishment for “getting messed up”.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.
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