As parents, we love sharing precious moments of our children’s lives with loved ones.
However, the practice of “sharenting”—sharing photos and personal details of our kids on social media—comes with potential dangers that we must be aware of.
Trevor Cooke, privacy expert at EarthWeb, says that while the desire to share precious moments with loved ones is understandable, it’s crucial to recognize the potential risks associated with oversharing on the internet.
Permanence of Online Media
Once a photo or personal information is posted online, it becomes virtually impossible to remove it entirely. “Even if you delete the content from your accounts, it may have already been shared, cached, or archived elsewhere, leaving a permanent digital footprint that could potentially resurface in the future,” says Cooke.
This permanence means that a moment captured today might still be accessible decades later, potentially resurfacing in contexts that could be embarrassing or inappropriate for your child. For example, a cute bath-time photo shared today might be seen by future employers or classmates, leading to awkward situations.
Potential Embarrassment
Children have little control over the content their parents share about them online. They grow and change rapidly, and what seems adorable or funny now might be a source of embarrassment in the future. “As they grow older, they may feel embarrassed or violated by the personal information and images that were shared without their consent during their formative years,” says Cooke.
As kids mature, their sense of privacy and personal space evolves, and they might not appreciate having their younger selves displayed publicly. This can lead to feelings of resentment towards parents for not respecting their privacy and can impact their social interactions and self-esteem.
Unwanted Harassment
Posting photos of your children can inadvertently expose them to unwanted attention and harassment. This can come from online trolls who derive pleasure from making hurtful comments, or worse, individuals with malicious intent. Even innocent pictures can attract negative remarks or cyberbullying, which can be distressing for both the child and the parents.
“Sharing too much personal information about your child online can also make them vulnerable to online predators, cyberbullies, or other malicious individuals who may use the information for nefarious purposes,” says Cooke.
Sharing with Unwanted Third Parties
Many social media platforms and apps have complex privacy policies and data-sharing agreements. The personal information and photos you share may be accessed, used, or even sold to third parties without your knowledge or consent. When you post photos online, you might also unintentionally share more information than you realize. Geotagging features can reveal your home address or regular locations, and even seemingly harmless details can be pieced together by those with ill intent. This can lead to a breach of privacy and, in extreme cases, can pose safety risks for your child.
5 Tips for Safe-Sharing Practices
To strike a balance between sharing and protecting your child’s privacy, Cooke recommends the following tips:
- Limit Personal Information: Avoid sharing your child’s full name, birthdate, address, or other identifying details that could be used to locate or identify them.
- Adjust Privacy Settings: Review and adjust the privacy settings on your social media accounts to control who can see the content you share about your child.
- Ask for Consent: As your child grows older, involve them in the decision-making process and seek their consent before sharing personal information or photos online.
- Consider a Private Sharing Platform: Instead of public social media, explore private sharing platforms or cloud storage options that allow you to share photos and updates with a limited, trusted audience.
- Be Mindful of Context: Even seemingly innocent photos or anecdotes can be misinterpreted or used in harmful ways when taken out of context.
“Sharenting is a modern parenting phenomenon that requires careful consideration and responsible decision-making,” says Cooke. “By being mindful of the potential risks and implementing safe-sharing practices, you can protect your child’s digital footprint while still cherishing and sharing the joys of parenthood.”
