In today’s digital age, sharing moments from our daily lives on social media has become common practice. However, a growing trend called “sharenting” where parents frequently share photos, videos, and stories about their children online has raised important questions about privacy, consent, and the long-term effects on children’s lives.
What is Sharenting?
Sharenting combines the words “sharing” and “parenting.” It refers to the practice of parents regularly posting information about their children on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. This can range from casual photo updates to monetized content creation featuring children.
The Scale of the Problem
Research shows the extent of this practice:
- By age 13, the average child has 1,300 photos and videos of themselves posted online by their parents
- More than 80% of children have an online presence before age 2
- Nearly one-third of parents share photos or videos of their children online at least once a day
Why Parents Share
Parents often share content about their children for various reasons:
1. Keeping family and friends updated
2. Finding support and advice from other parents
3. Preserving memories
4. Building social connections
5. Earning income through social media platforms
For some families, social media content creation has become a significant source of income. Popular family YouTube channels can earn millions of dollars annually through advertising revenue and sponsorships.
The Hidden Costs
Privacy Concerns
When parents share information about their children online, they create a digital footprint that can follow their children throughout their lives. This includes:
- Personal information
- Embarrassing moments
- Health issues
- Behavioral challenges
- School experiences
One parent shared a real example: “My friend’s daughter had trouble finding a part-time job because potential employers found old photos and videos her mother had posted during the daughter’s difficult teenage years.”
Mental Health Impact
The psychological effects of growing up in the public eye can be significant:
- Pressure to maintain an online presence
- Stress from constant performance
- Difficulty developing a private identity
- Confusion about boundaries
- Impact on self-esteem when content doesn’t perform well
Child Labor Issues
For children involved in content creation:
- They may work long hours to create videos
- Feel pressure to maintain viewership
- Struggle with being family breadwinners at a young age
- Face challenges when they want to stop creating content
- Deal with recognition and privacy issues at school
Legal and Ethical Considerations
While parents legally have the right to share information about their minor children, ethical questions arise:
- Should children have a right to privacy from their parents?
- At what age should children have a say in what’s shared about them?
- How can we protect children’s future interests?
Some countries have begun addressing these issues. France has introduced laws that allow children to sue their parents for sharing their photos without consent when they become adults.
Best Practices for Parents
If you choose to share content about your children online, consider these guidelines:
1. Privacy Settings
- Use strict privacy settings
- Share only with close family and friends
- Avoid public posts
- Never share location information
2. Content Guidelines
- No embarrassing photos or stories
- Skip bath time or undressed photos
- Avoid sharing behavioral issues
- Keep medical information private
- Don’t share school details
3. Future Impact
- Consider how content might affect your child’s future
- Think about job applications
- Consider college admissions
- Think about future relationships
4. Consent
- Ask older children for permission
- Respect when they say no
- Remove content if they request it
- Wait until children are old enough to manage their own online presence
Alternative Approaches
Many parents are finding better ways to share family memories:
- Private photo-sharing apps
- Password-protected family blogs
- Digital photo albums
- Direct messages to family members
- Regular video calls with relatives
Looking Forward
As the first generation of children whose lives were extensively documented online reaches adulthood, we’re beginning to understand the impact of sharenting. Many young adults express discomfort with their childhood being publicly available online without their consent.
One millennial parent noted: “I’m thankful social media wasn’t around when I was a kid. Now, as a parent, I choose to keep my children off social media until they’re old enough to make their own choices about their online presence.”
Conclusion
While sharing about our children online can seem harmless and even beneficial, it’s important to consider the long-term implications. As one parent wisely said, “The child is a person who comes through you so that you guide them not a possession to display.”
Before posting about children online, parents should carefully consider:
- The child’s right to privacy
- Potential future impact
- Security risks
- Mental health effects
- The difference between sharing and oversharing
The best approach might be to err on the side of caution and remember that once something is posted online, it can be very difficult to completely remove it.
With thoughtful consideration and clear boundaries, parents can find ways to document their children’s lives and stay connected with loved ones while still protecting their children’s privacy and future interests.
