Module 4
Sharenting
Overview
In this module, we’ll explore the concept of “sharenting”—the practice of parents sharing details of their children’s lives online—and unpack the reasons it poses significant risks. We’ll delve into the privacy issues, the potential for identity theft, and the long-term digital footprint concerns that can impact a child’s future. We’ll also examine the psychological implications for children who grow up with their lives broadcasted on social media.
What parents share can have unintended consequences, affecting their child’s privacy, safety, and emotional well-being. Here’s a guide to what parents should and shouldn’t post about their children online.
What Parents Shouldn’t Post
Suggestive Photos
Never post photos that could be considered suggestive or inappropriate. This includes bath time photos or any images that show your child in a state of undress. Such content can attract the wrong kind of attention and could be misused.
Location Sharing
Posting your child’s current location or routinely sharing locations they frequent, like their school or playground, can pose a safety risk. It makes it easier for predators to track their movements.
Embarrassing Content
What might seem like a cute or funny moment to an adult can be deeply embarrassing for a child, especially as they grow older. Avoid sharing content that might humiliate your child or make them a target for bullying.
Personal Identifiers
Avoid sharing any personal information that could be used to steal your child’s identity. This includes their full name, birthdate, home address, or any other sensitive information.
Health Issues or Struggles
Be cautious about sharing details of your child’s health issues or personal struggles without their consent. Such information can stigmatize or pigeonhole them, affecting their self-esteem and privacy.
The psychological implications for children
Impact on Self-Identity
Children who see their lives constantly reflected through the lens of social media may struggle to develop a sense of self that is separate from their online persona. This can lead to an overemphasis on external validation and a distorted sense of self-worth, reliant on likes, comments, and shares.
Privacy Concerns
Children may grow up with a diminished understanding of personal privacy, not realizing the value of keeping certain aspects of their lives private. This blurring of public and private boundaries can affect their ability to establish healthy relationships and boundaries later in life.
Social Comparison and Anxiety
Constant exposure to curated content can engender feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Children might compare their everyday lives to the highlight reels of others, leading to increased anxiety and a pressure to live up to unrealistic standards.
Consent and Autonomy
Children whose lives have been chronicled on social media often had no say in the matter. As they grow older, they might resent the lack of control over their digital footprint and feel violated or exposed. This can lead to conflicts within the family and a sense of betrayal by those they trust.
Navigating the delicate balance of sharing our children’s lives online demands a profound sense of responsibility and empathy from us as parents and guardians. Each photo shared, each milestone celebrated on social media, might be weaving a digital narrative that our children have not chosen. It’s a gentle reminder to pause and ponder—how will our children feel in the future about these shared private moments? Will they appreciate the digital footprint we’ve laid out for them, or will they wish for moments that were kept just for them, away from the public eye?