Sharenting and knowing when you’ve shared too much

How cute! You're celebrating your little kid’s birthday in the park. The decorations look on point, the cake looks scrumptious, and the children are enjoying themselves. Time to take some pics to remember this special day. But, will you share them? What will the caption include?

Parents love sharing milestones of their children’s lives online, a practice known as ‘sharenting.’ From their child’s first steps to graduations, these moments are proudly displayed across social media. But when does this cross the line from sharing to oversharing, and are there risks associated with it?

Let’s break down the potential impacts of sharenting and offer tips for keeping your child’s privacy safe online.

What is sharenting?

Sharenting is when parents share pictures, videos, and stories about their children online. While many parents believe it’s an innocent way to document their family’s life, oversharing can expose children to unnecessary risks.

Here are a few examples of sharenting:

• Posting daily updates of your toddler on Instagram, including photos and detailed information about your child’s daily routine.
• Blogging about your children’s school activities, sharing their location and specific details about their teachers and classmates.
• Posting about your children’s milestones, not minding how many followers you have accumulated and how much personal information is now publicly accessible.

Sharenting may seem harmless, but it's important to know when it’s time to limit what we post and with whom we share it.

How sharenting impacts children

Parents might not think twice before hitting “share,” but children can be affected in ways they may not realize. Oversharing can lead to:

• Exploitation: Posting too much personal information or sensitive content about children can open the door to child predators.
• Psychological repercussions: Children whose lives are overly documented online might feel a lack of control over their own identity as they grow older. They may also feel embarrassed about certain content shared during their formative years.
• Physical danger: Sharing your child’s location or schedule can make them vulnerable to real-world dangers.
• Identity theft: Sharing personal details, like dates of birth and email addresses, may put your child at risk for identity theft.

The dangers of posting children’s pictures on social media

While sharing a cute picture of your child on social media may seem innocent, it comes with several consequences if the post is public for anyone to see.

• Privacy issues: Social media platforms often have complex privacy settings that parents may not fully understand. This can lead to more exposure than intended.
• Photos ending up on unwanted sites: Pictures of children can sometimes end up posted on other websites or in the hands of people with ill intentions.
• Child exploitation: Posting images or videos could make your child a target for predators who may misuse these photos.

For these reasons, it’s crucial to limit the people who have access to your private posts. You can share happy moments online, but always err on the side of caution.

Tips to keep your child safe online

If you want to continue sharing while maintaining your child’s safety, consider these tips:

• Adjust your privacy settings. Ensure your social media profiles are set to private, and only trusted friends and family can see your posts.
• Consider your audience. Before you share, think about who might view the content. Avoid posting personal details like school names or routines.
• Never share your location. Be cautious about tagging locations in your posts or adding geotags to photos.
• Tell your friends and family. Establish boundaries with those close to you, letting them know your preferences about sharing pictures of your child.
• Only share on safe sites. Make sure the platforms you use prioritize privacy and security. Look for trusted social media sites with strong privacy controls.
• Use cybersecurity software. Consider investing in identity theft services for your children, such as Norton 360 with LifeLock, to help them start their adult lives with a clean slate.

By taking these precautions, you can enjoy sharing moments while still protecting your family’s privacy.

To share or not to share?

When deciding whether to post about your child, ask yourself, “Is this something they’d want to be part of their online footprint?” Always consider the long-term impact of what you’re sharing and who might see it. It’s okay to share but share with your kid’s Cyber Safety in mind.

FAQs about sharenting

Are parents undermining their children’s privacy when they share photos and videos of them online?

There’s no definitive answer. However, sharing too much information without the child’s knowledge or consent, especially as they grow older, may be seen as a breach of privacy.

At what age should you give your child privacy?

By the time children reach elementary school, they often begin forming a sense of autonomy. It’s important to respect their wishes and ask permission before posting.

What are the risks of sharenting?

Risks include exposing children to cyber threats and potential exploitation or physical harm. It’s crucial for parents to be careful of what they share and with whom they share it.