Sharenting
“Sharenting” is a term that combines “sharing” and “parenting,” used to describe the practice of parents sharing content about their children on social media platforms. This can include photos, videos, and stories about their daily activities, milestones, and challenges. While it's often done out of love, pride, and a desire to keep family and friends updated, sharenting should be done with caution.
Privacy: Posting about children is tricky because minors do not have the agency to consent to what is shared about them publicly, but parents want the freedom to share pictures and stories with their friends and family. As your children grow older, they might not appreciate having their entire upbringing documented online. As a parent it is your job to help and protect those boundaries for your children.
Security: Sharing personal information can inadvertently expose children to risks such as identity theft or general unwanted attention. For instance, sharing locations, schools, birth dates, full names, or routines can make children identifiable and vulnerable. If you have a public social media account, anyone can access your photos and information. It is always best to have private accounts, but even then to still carefully review what you are sharing.
Digital Footprint: The digital footprint created by sharenting is permanent. Children might face consequences for the online persona created by their parents, affecting future opportunities like college admissions or employment. Again, you really never know who’s watching.
Psychological Impact: As children become aware of their online presence, it can affect their self-esteem and personal development. They might feel pressured to live up to the image portrayed online or become self-conscious about their privacy being compromised. Parents considering sharenting should weigh the long-term implications of their choices and consider strategies to protect their children’s privacy, such as:
Limiting the amount of personal information shared. This includes locations, school names, birth dates, and routines.
Using privacy settings to control who can see your posts.
Engaging in open discussions with older children about what they are comfortable having shared—and the potential benefits and drawbacks.
This practice underscores the need for a balance between celebrating and protecting our children in the digital age. By actively guiding and supporting children (and checking ourselves) as we navigate social media, we can enjoy its benefits while minimizing potential dangers.
