In today’s digital age, many parents create social media accounts on platforms like Instagram and TikTok to share photos and videos of their children, a practice commonly referred to as “sharenting”. However, it’s crucial to consider the safety and privacy implications of this trend.
As responsible parents, it’s essential to be mindful of the extent to which you share your child’s life on the internet. Some parents go beyond simple photo sharing and creating vlogs documenting every aspect of their child’s daily activities. Child psychiatrists caution that this level of exposure can potentially invite unwanted intrusions into your child’s world.
Mainly, parents bear the responsibility of managing their child’s digital footprint. It’s imperative to make deliberate choices about what aspects of your child’s life you reveal to the online world, avoiding reducing them and their experiences to mere “content.” Instead, prioritise their safety, privacy, and wellbeing when sharing on social media.
Sharenting, a fusion of “sharing” and “parenting”, refers to the phenomenon of parents sharing their children’s photos and videos on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. While it can be a wonderful way to stay connected with loved ones and document precious moments, it also comes with a set of potential pitfalls that parents should be aware of.
The benefits
One of the most apparent benefits of sharenting is the sense of community it can foster. Parents often create online spaces where family members, friends, and distant relatives can stay updated on their child’s growth and development. In an increasingly globalised world, this can bridge geographical gaps and help families feel more connected despite physical distance. It can be a source of support for first-time parents, offering advice and companionship during the overwhelming journey of raising children.
The dangers
However, as with any digital activity, there are dangers associated with sharenting. These dangers encompass both immediate and long-term consequences. Sharing personal information, such as a child’s full name, birthdate, and location, can inadvertently expose them to identity theft. Cybercriminals can piece together this information from various posts and use it maliciously.
Once shared online, content can become permanent. Even if a post is deleted by the original poster, copies or screenshots may exist, leading to a potential loss of control over the shared images. Parents might lose control over their shared images as others can save, share, or misuse them. Once in the digital realm, it’s challenging to manage who views and shares these photos.
Sharing photos that reveal personal details like a child’s school, uniform, or real-time location can inadvertently expose them to potential predators. Maintaining privacy settings is crucial, but it doesn’t guarantee complete protection. Also, think of how young children cannot consent to online sharing, raising privacy and legal concerns. In some countries, children have rights to their own images, making it essential for parents to consider these issues.
Consent and privacy
As children grow older and start to understand the implications of online sharing, it’s vital for parents to ask for their consent before posting images. In certain countries like Norway and France, laws even grant children the right to their images, further emphasising the need for mutual respect and consent within the family. Additionally, it’s crucial to consider privacy issues when sharing photos that include other people’s children. Seeking permission from other parents or guardians is a sign of respect and consideration for their privacy and consent.
Safe sharenting
For parents who opt to continue sharenting, there are several crucial precautions to consider in order to maintain a safer online environment for their children. Firstly, it’s essential to make diligent use of privacy settings on social media platforms, ensuring that only trusted family members and close friends have access to the shared content. Engaging in open discussions with friends and family about the importance of respecting children’s privacy and setting clear boundaries is another vital step.
Furthermore, disabling metadata and geotagging functions can help protect sensitive location information, reducing the risk of potential predators tracking a child’s whereabouts. Disabling metadata and geotagging functions refers to taking steps to prevent your smartphone or digital camera from automatically attaching additional information to the photos or videos you take and share online. Parents should also exercise caution when it comes to sharing identifiable information, such as full names and birthdates, as this data can be exploited by malicious actors.
In addition, parents should be mindful of the images they choose to share, avoiding potentially embarrassing or compromising ones that could have long-lasting consequences for their children as they grow older. Considering the use of more secure, private platforms for sharing images can offer an added layer of protection. Finally, some parents choose to obscure their child’s face in photos, thus preserving their anonymity and minimising the risk associated with the uncontrolled distribution of their images online. These precautions collectively contribute to a safer online environment for children while allowing parents to continue sharing meaningful moments with their loved ones.
It is important to remember that sharenting can be a double-edged sword. While it offers the benefits of staying connected and building a supportive online community, it also poses significant risks, including identity theft and privacy issues. Parents should approach sharenting with caution, always prioritising their child’s safety, privacy, and wellbeing. By striking a balance between sharing and safeguarding, parents can navigate the digital playground with confidence and responsibility.
(The writer is a mental health professional and has, over the past 10 years, contributed to several Sri Lankan media publications in both English and Sinhala languages, focusing on topics related to psychology and counselling)
Questions to ask yourself before sharing kid’s activity online
Before posting images of their children online, parents should consider a few essential questions:
•What is the intention behind sharing this post? Is it to keep family and friends updated, or is it simply to showcase an adorable moment?
•Would it be acceptable if someone else shared a similar post about your child?
•Could the post potentially embarrass or compromise the child in the future?
•Would the child be comfortable with this post as part of their digital footprint as they grow older?