Navigating Parenthood in the Digital Age: A Guide to Sharenting

Parenthood in the digital era is very challenging. As social media, smartphones, and other technologies advance at a breakneck pace, they seem to outgrow our children. Parents often share photos, videos and moments of their children online and sometimes include family and friends in their joys too. Hence, it is very crucial to recognize the inherent risks of this practice, commonly known as “sharenting.”

Understanding Sharenting

Sharenting involves parents discussing their children beyond the family circle—whether it’s a social media post, a blog entry, or a video shared via messaging platforms like WhatsApp. Sharenting expert Stacey Steinberg emphasizes, “When we share about our children online without involving them in that decision-making process, we miss a valuable opportunity to teach and model consent.”

“Our kids are the first generation to grow up shared. We are the first generation of parents to raise kids alongside social media, and that’s difficult.”

Key Considerations for Parents

There are two major concerns regarding sharing children’s content online:

1. Tangible Harm: Children can be targeted by malicious individuals due to online content. In some regions, data brokers create digital profiles of children, predicting their future behaviors and health issues based on shared information. Additionally, fake images and memes pose significant risks, potentially depicting children in harmful ways. Although currently not widespread, the future, particularly with advancements in AI, is uncertain.

2. Modeling Consent and Privacy: Excluding children from decisions about sharing their images online misses a vital opportunity to teach them about consent and privacy. As they grow and use social media themselves, it’s essential they respect the privacy of others, including their peers and parents.

Children’s Perspectives on Sharenting

Autonomy is vital at any age. Children value their individuality and personal image, whether choosing their clothes or deciding whether to be photographed. Respecting these preferences is crucial, as children’s feelings are significant and deserve validation. Young children cannot give informed consent, so parents must consider how they might feel about shared content.

Moreover, immediate sharing can distort childhood memories, overshadowing personal experiences with digital representations. It is very essential for parents to be present with their children, allowing them to form genuine memories independent of digital documentation.

Protecting Children’s Privacy

To safeguard children’s privacy online, parents should avoid sharing overly personal or embarrassing content. Understanding a child’s perspective is crucial. Parents should also refrain from posting pictures of their children in any state of undress, as these can be misused by ill-intentioned individuals.

Engaging children in discussions about what to share can also be beneficial. Just as in solving a math problem, showing the process is important. This approach helps children understand the considerations behind sharing decisions.

However, parents cannot bear this responsibility alone. Policymakers and digital platforms must create safer environments for families. Rapid technological changes make it unreasonable to expect parents to fully grasp these complexities.

Communicating Sharing Preferences

Discussing sharing preferences with friends and family is essential. Honest conversations can ensure your wishes are respected. For schools and organizations, inquire about social media policies. If none exist, collaborate to establish guidelines, acknowledging that other parents may share similar concerns.

Safe Sharing Practices

While complete safety in sharing is unattainable, parents can minimize risks by considering their audience, privacy settings, and the type of information shared. It’s crucial to balance the risks with perceived benefits, always keeping the child’s feelings and future implications in mind.

Rethinking Past Shares

If you’ve shared extensively about your children and are reconsidering, take a deep breath. Most oversharing stems from a lack of awareness about digital footprints. Start by reviewing and possibly deleting past posts. Involve children around 9-10 years old in this process, teaching them the importance of managing their digital presence. Regularly assess and clean up shared content to stay relevant and respectful of your child’s evolving identity.

Conclusion

Our children are the first generation growing up in the shared digital landscape. As the first generation of parents navigating this terrain, the journey is challenging but manageable with thoughtful and informed approaches.