Teen wins $1,800 from mom for staying off social media for six years

“I thought it was awesome” Sivert Klefsaas, 18, told CNN of the “18 for 18 challenge.”

The Facebook fast began in 2016, when the Motley resident’s mom, Lorna Goldstrand Klefsaas, challenged her then-12-year-old to abstain from using social networks until his 18th birthday. If the boy did so, he’d get a $1,800 check from her, KARE11 reported.

Lorna’s son was more than up for the challenge.

“Being 12, I didn’t really have that great of a concept of money yet,” Sivert said. “So, I was, like, ‘Oh sick, yeah — absolutely.’ ”

Lorna was inspired by a radio contest called the “16 for 16,” in which a mother offered her daughter $1,600 if she shunned social media until her sweet 16.

Naturally, a tween staying off social media might seem akin to a sea bass surviving in the Sahara. However, Sivert said he didn’t use social media at all at 12, recounting a time he signed up for Snapchat only to delete it a day later.

And, being a competitive kid, the app-stainer was also able to treat the contest like one of his basketball or football games, according to KARE11. In fact, Sivert claimed the Instagram embargo gave him more time to focus on schoolwork and sports.

“I wouldn’t say there was ever a time where I thought I was about to break,” Sivert said of his self-imposed sanction. “As it went on, it was more of a pride thing.”

“I knew for sure he was going to make it,” added his mom, who reportedly never had to check for any surreptitiously downloaded apps.

Indeed, her determined offspring managed to hold off and collected his $1,800 when he turned 18 on Feb. 19.

One of the first things Sivert did on his 18th birthday? Get himself an Instagram account, which has been set to private and includes a bio that reads simply, “I’m new here, be nice to me.”

His first post featured an image of him as a kid with a huge grin and the caption, “How I feel about my new Instagram.”

“It’s hilarious. I feel like I’m, like, 80. I can’t seem to figure out social media,” the teen exclaimed to KARE. “Honestly, it’s pretty embarrassing. I’ll be with my friends, and they’d be, like, ‘What are you doing?’ “

Sivert hasn’t decided what to do with the $1,800, although he jokingly told KARE that he might buy a TV — which would be a good addition for his dorm when he begins college at the University of Northwestern St. Paul this fall.

Either way, his mom is over the moon at his win, writing on Facebook, “It’s some of the best money I have ever spent!!!”

She was especially proud given how social media adversely impacted Sivert’s older sister.

“She got so obsessed with keeping up her Snapchat streaks that really it was affecting her mood,” said Lorna, who staged a form of “intervention” and confiscated her daughter’s phone when she was 16.

“She was really, really upset, but it was not even three weeks later that she thanked us and said she was so happy to not have her phone,” she added.

“For some reason, kids and adults feel so comfortable behind a screen,” Lorna lamented in reference to cruel internet commenters. “I’m so happy (Sivert) didn’t have to read any of that.”

Looking back, Sivert said he is definitely better for having undergone the challenge.

“On the whole, I would say totally worth it,” he said. “I mean, I would do it again.”

Unfortunately, social media addiction has become a scourge in today’s tech-saturated society, with studies showing that overuse can induce anxiety and depression.

Meanwhile, studies have found that those who spent too much time on devices as children can experience severe deficits in imagination and creativity later in life.