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What Parents Should Know About Sharenting and Child Privacy
Today, it is common for parents to upload photos, videos, and their children’s stories on the internet, where everyone knows their child. Social media has become a way to document family life from a baby’s first smile, to school achievements and family vacations. But, sharing these moments can be joyful, unfortunately, these also raise a very important issue—child privacy. This trend of parents sharing online is called sharenting, and it comes with risks and responsibilities. So, let’s take a look at what sharenting is, why it matters, and what every parent should know.
What is Sharenting?
Sharenting means it’s a new age parenting practice in which parents or guardians post information and pictures of their child on digital platforms or social media. Two words are mixed into one: share and parenting. However, the long-term effects of posts like this are not thought about by few parents because it is at this stage that it has become widespread.
Sharenting Definition
Definition of sharenting is to narrate and let others know about their kids online through sharing information, photos, and videos; however, during this process, the consent of the child is not taken. Those sound innocent or cute, but they can expose your child’s digital identity, put your child at safety risks, and even shame your child later in life.
Not all sharenting has to be intentional or harmful. While most parents do it out of love and pride, it is often not something they know how it may affect their children’s future.
Why the Term Sharenting Matters
The word “sharenting” may sound harmless, but its implications are far from it. When a child’s personal life becomes public without their choice, it can affect their self-esteem, future relationships, and even job opportunities. Once something is online, it’s nearly impossible to remove it completely.
Suggested reading: Top Questions About Brain Development In Toddlers 1-2 Years
Who is a Sharenter?
A sharenter is a parent, guardian, or adult who regularly shares their child’s private moments, milestones, or experiences online. The behavior can be intentional or casual, but it often involves repeated sharing across multiple platforms.
The Mindset of Sharenters
Sharenters usually have good intentions. They may want to keep friends and family updated or document memories in a digital scrapbook. However, the problem arises when oversharing begins to invade the child’s privacy.
Many sharenters also fall into the habit of comparing their children’s achievements or looks with others, creating unrealistic standards and pressure, not just for the parent, but also for the child who grows up in a digital spotlight.
Sharenting in Everyday Life
In everyday life, sharenting shows up in various ways. Some parents share ultrasound images even before the child is born. Others post regular updates about their child’s schoolwork, friends, habits, or emotional struggles. While these may seem like simple updates, they contribute to building a full digital identity for the child, without their input or control.
Risks of Sharenting
As common as sharenting has become, it poses real and serious risks. These risks not only impact the child today but can follow them for many years to come.
Privacy Concerns
One of the biggest dangers of sharenting is privacy invasion. Personal information such as full names, birthdates, school names, and home locations can be unintentionally revealed in posts. Even a simple photo can give away more than you think. Strangers or even online predators can use this data to track or target a child.
Many parents don’t realize how advanced digital tools have become. Image recognition software, data scraping, and facial recognition can collect data from photos shared online, building profiles on children without their knowledge.
Digital Footprints
Every time a photo or video is posted, it becomes part of a child’s digital footprint. This is the online trail that includes everything shared about a person on the internet. Children whose lives are shared online from birth might grow up feeling like they have no control over their digital identity.
As kids grow older, they might not agree with the way they were presented online. Photos from childhood, especially embarrassing or emotional moments, could affect their friendships, school life, and even their mental health.
Cyberbullying and Embarrassment
A common side effect of sharenting is that children may be teased or bullied over what their parents have shared. A funny video or awkward moment might seem entertaining now, but it could become a source of embarrassment or ridicule later on.
Teenagers especially value privacy and control over their self-image. Discovering that their childhood was publicly documented without their permission can cause resentment and emotional stress.
Why Parents Need to Think Before They Post
Many parents don’t think twice before posting about their children. However, digital parenting today involves more than just safety locks and screen time limits—it requires ethical thinking and long-term awareness.
Teaching Consent Through Example
Children learn by watching adults. If parents respect their child’s boundaries and ask for consent before posting something, it teaches the child the value of privacy and respect. Asking a child, “Can I share this photo?” may seem small, but it’s a powerful lesson in digital respect.
This habit also gives children a voice in how they are represented online. Over time, it builds trust between the child and parent, making them feel heard and protected.
Controlling the Narrative
When a parent posts online, they control the story being told about their child. But that story may not always reflect how the child sees themselves. It’s important to consider how a child might feel about the information being shared and how it could be interpreted by others.
Letting children shape their own stories online can help them develop a healthy sense of identity and self-worth.
Also read: Speech Therapy for Toddlers: Nurture Early Verbal Abilities
Healthy Alternatives to Sharenting
Sharenting doesn’t have to be completely avoided. It’s about finding a healthy balance that respects a child’s privacy while still celebrating parenthood.
Private Sharing Options
Instead of public posts, parents can create private family groups or albums to share photos and updates with close relatives. Messaging apps or password-protected photo libraries can provide a safer way to stay connected with loved ones without exposing the child to the wider internet.
Focus on the Parents’ Perspective
If you love writing about your parenting journey, try focusing on your feelings and lessons rather than specific details about your child. Sharing your own experience can be powerful and supportive without risking your child’s privacy.
You can say, “Today was a tough day as a parent,” without revealing that your child had a meltdown at school.
Conclusion
In the digital age, sharenting has become a normal part of parenting. That doesn’t mean it’s always safe or appropriate, just because it’s common. The approach to online sharing should be with awareness, respect, and responsibility by parents.
Parents may be better able to make a choice whether they wish to sharent or not, after they understand what sharenting is, who sharenters are, and the possible consequences of oversharing. A chance to grow up with dignity and with control over their digital identity is something that every child deserves. Let’s be thoughtful sharenters and mindful storytellers, and give our kids that power.
This content was created by AI
