“So special to not share with the world”: how sharenting can affect children’s lives

First, I imagine you might be wondering what “sharenting” is. So, let’s answer that, before we start talking about the topic. It is an anglicism composed of two words: share (to share) and parenting (parental power). The term refers to sharing images and information about your daughter or son on social media. Some time ago, every proud mother and proud father would show the 3×4 photos, which they carried in their wallet, to their friends. Currently, these small (and harmless) photographs have been exchanged for content on social media. In this text, we will talk about what is classified and what is not classified as sharenting, we will also present the effects of this practice on children’s lives and the possible impacts on their future lives. To illustrate the issue, we will present data collected through surveys dealing with sharenting. So let ‘s go?!

The power of difference: what is sharenting and what is not sharenting?

But then, whenever a mother or father shares their children’s photo on social media, are they practicing sharenting? No, not exactly this! Let’s explain better! 

Sharing photos and/or videos of our daughters and sons is not (always) sharenting. This practice occurs when someone (important to point out that it does not need to be the mother or father, it could be an uncle or aunt, for example) constantly documents and shares (and without authorization) the child’s daily routine. 

Although there is not an exact amount of content posted for sharenting to be framed, in general, the practice happens when there is continuous sharing of images and/or videos. Such a lack of exact number characterizing the practice happens because a single post can go viral and have a much larger reach than the 500 images posted on the network, for example.

It can be seen, then, that the difference in determining what is and what is not sharenting is in the quantity and pace at which it is published, also paying attention to the content of the photo/video. Social media can often be used as a space to remember good times, and there’s no problem with that. The problem is to use social networks without the necessary care and precaution. 

As stated earlier, mothers and fathers sharing content from their daughters and sons is nothing new. However, currently, due to the high reach of social networks, the sharing of this information can reach an unimaginable number of people and cause serious impacts in the child’s life.

Like mother, like daughter? The digital footprints left in the lives of daughters and sons

How much does the behavior of the mother and father reflect on the behavior and construction of a child’s personality? In the research carried out by the Working Mother Research Institute (WMRI), some interesting data were revealed. The study, conducted with 950 men and 932 women, found that people under 40 years old (39%) share more information about their lives than people over 40 years old (26%). Thus, during children’s childhood, most mothers and fathers tend to post more content about their lives (which also includes the life of the daughter or son).

According to the UNICEF report, a survey conducted in 2010, 81% of children between 2 and 10 years old in high-income countries (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom and States States) had a digital footprint. This means that these children had their pictures posted or had a profile on some social network.

“But what can happen? At the most, they will think my daughter is cute!”

If the question is: what can happen? The answer is: more than you think. The effects that sharenting can cause are psychological and security. 

Let’s cite some examples:

• Child profiling in the future 

The information provided through the shared images and videos may make it easier to profile this child in the future. Thus, it is possible that there are reflections in job vacancies or credit granting. Example: if you post content sharing that your daughter suffers from a certain comorbidity, did you ever think that her potential boss, in a couple of years, could access this information? Do you think she would like the people who work with her to have this information?

• Use of the image for purposes other than intended 

If the child is portrayed without clothes or even with little clothes, it is possible that the content is suggested, through algorithms that check the user’s preferences, to people who have sexual behaviors aimed at pedophilia. What do you think?

•    Difficulty for the child to develop their personality 

The creation of profiles on the part of the mother and father can interfere with the child’s capacity for free and full development of the identity and personality. After all, the narrative exposed on social networks is unilateral and told from an outside perspective, and without the consent of the minor. It’s annoying when they don’t ask our opinion because we’re children, right?

• Bullying 

Social networks, depending on the context in which the child is inserted, have a significant role in their life. Therefore, an overexposure by the minor’s legal representatives can cause bullying or discomfort in their social circle.

Danger lives in the same house and give you love and care

A study carried out by the British financial institution Barclays estimates that, in 2030, approximately ⅔ of the cases of identity fraud will be associated with the excess of information caused by sharenting. The bank warns that mothers and fathers who overexpose their daughters and sons are compromising their future financial security. In that direction, the financial institution predicts that by 2030 this could cost approximately £670 million in online fraud.

A variety of information can be provided when content is shared on social networks: first and last name, birthday, skin and eye color, or places the child usually goes (school name), for example. In this way, it becomes easy to create false profiles on social networks or use this information for purposes that harm the child. If such information reaches (or is found by) people with malicious intent, the child’s own physical safety may be in danger.

It’s not about not using social media, it’s about using it sparingly

It sounds cliché, but it’s true: use it sparingly. Not only should we control the amount of content we post about children, we should also have control over the type of content we share about them. 

Certainly, not all information can compromise the future and the construction of your daughter’s or son’s personality. However, you need to keep in mind that if you’re not careful, you could be putting the ones you love and protect the most in danger.

The views and opinions expressed in this blogpost are those of the author. 
Illustration by Freepik Stories.