Sasha,11, and Malia,14, are characterized by their parents as kind and respecting of themselves and others. President and First Lady Obama recently told Barbara Walters that their tween and teen are “really sweet girls, very poised, intelligent, opinionated, outspoken, outgoing, funny. But they’re respectful.”
Malia, who entered her Freshman year of high school at in September, received entryway into the techno world via a cell phone a few weeks ago. “I’m trusting her to do what’s right,” said First Lady Obama. “She knows the rules, she knows what she’s supposed to do, and you know, and I’m not going to be able to monitor when she goes to college, so we’re practicing for college and beyond.”
Although a trusting parent, Mrs. Obama was sure to remind her daughter that having a cell phone is a privilege and not a right. “You never know when I’m going to walk in your room, and I’m going to definitely ask you, ‘oh, are you, who are you talking to, and are you talking about school work,'” said the First Lady.
The Obamas have been adamant about steering their daughters away from technology reliance. They have on several occasions commented on their decision to not allow their daughters to have Facebook and Twitter accounts, and restrict television viewing to weekends. Malia is the first, between her and her sister, to have a cell phone. Sasha may have the privilege of owning a mobile device in coming years.
