Earlier this week a popular tween fashion blogger who will remain nameless and linkless for reasons that will become obvious momentarily sent out a memo to the media both old and new that she will no longer be taking their calls. Thanks, but no thanks.

The reason? Too much pressure to perform. In her own simultaneously wise-beyond-her-years-but-still-unmistakably-preteen way she explains, "More exposure=higher expectations=lots of stress=wondering if anything is good enough=sadface D:" Pretty much says it all, no? While clearly this type of internet fame is a different breed than the Miley Cyrus variety, the psychological effect of having everyone "watching" your every move, especially when you're young and bound to eventually make a misstep, is comparable, and, in both cases, potentially damaging. Couple this with the constant need to defend yourself against speculation that you either a) don't deserve the attention you're receiving or b) have somehow cheated your way into getting it (many accused this particular blogette of being a parent-operated puppet), and the decision to bow out of the spotlight makes all the more sense. Getting burnt out before you even hit your teen years is a scary prospect. Fortunately, it seems that this plea was a preventative measure.

Despite the silent treatment the blogger in question is adopting towards the press and requesting in return (hence no names, no links here), according to her post she does plan to remain devoted to her site. This, I'm sure, comes as a relief to all of the dedicated readers out there who don't simply see her as a novelty act . Needless to say, if this hadn't been the case, it would have been a big loss in the blogosphere. Regardless, this episode should serve as a reminder that while in many ways the internet is the best thing that could have happened to young, creative types — with no money and a little ingenuity you can have a public platform to display your talents whatever they may be — it's still important to keep in mind that tween bloggers are kids first and bloggers second.

Categorized under: Tweens, Web

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