What is "Sharenting" and Why You Should Stop It Immediately

What is "Sharenting" and Why You Should Stop It Immediately

Sharenting is a common practice on social media that can have serious and unsuspected consequences.

You've probably seen friends, acquaintances, or influencers posting photos of their children online, from Sundays spent as a family to first days of school. While it seems harmless, there are important questions we should be asking about this practice.

"Sharenting" combines "share" and "parenting" and refers to parents regularly posting content featuring their children online. Statistics show that more than half of parents engage in sharenting.

The overexposure of children on the internet can lead to significant issues. The first and most obvious is privacy. A child's digital identity should not be established without their consent. Beyond this ethical concern, the risks can be very real and disturbing. Once a photo is online, it can be saved, shared, and fall into the wrong hands.

Here are some of the most alarming risks:

  • Cyberbullying: An innocent photo can become a tool for bullies.
  • Identity Theft: Criminals create fake profiles using children's photos found online.
  • Child Pornography Networks: Even non sexual images can be exploited by predators.
  • Deepfakes: Advances in AI increase the risk of manipulated images in inappropriate contexts.
  • Location Disclosure: Photos can reveal details like school, extracurricular activities, or even home address.

The problem is made worse by the fact that removing content once it's online is nearly impossible. Even if you delete a post, search engines may have already indexed it or shared it. Never share anything online that you wouldn't want a stranger to see and have access to indefinitely. 

To avoid future issues, avoid posting content about your young children and be cautious about photos that could embarrass them later. Don't show their faces or mention personal details like their full name, school, or address. Instead, share photos with family through private apps like WhatsApp that use end-to-end encryption for safer messaging. 

Sharenting is usually well intentioned, but in the digital age, it's crucial to respect our children's privacy and be cautious about their online presence.