Sharenting: What is appropriate for parents to document online and did the child consent to it? And if it’s a child in light of what and who a child is, do they understand what’s going on and can they really consent?
Sharenting, a portmanteau of the word “sharing” and “parenting,” refers to the act of parents sharing information, photos, and videos of their children on social media platforms. Thanks to technological advancements and the pervasive influence of social media, this new phenomenon, is redefining the whole landscape of modern parenting.
It ordinarily enables parents to maintain connections with family and friends, especially those who live far away. Some parents have private groups where they share these information with a few group of trusted family and friends. For others, it fosters a sense of community by allowing them to share experiences, seek advice, and offer support to one another. It could also serve as a digital scrapbook of memories that families can cherish for years to come.
But while sharenting offers a way for you to connect with friends and family, parents sharing intimate personal details of their kids for entertainment and monetary purposes is a whole ‘nother discussion. Turning your kids into clicks raises important questions about privacy, consent, and the long-term impact on your children’s digital footprints.
Social media has indeed transformed the way we interact, communicate, and share our lives with others. For parents, sharing photos and anecdotes of their children has become an integral part of their online presence. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter provide parents with a convenient means of documenting their children’s milestones, connecting with other parents, and seeking advice from online communities. However, we also see parents post multiple videos each month, weekly or daily sharing about their lives. From stories on family financial troubles, family drama, marital problems, live births, child tantrums, child’s medical report, child’s dirty rooms and so on.
Related: How Your Childhood Can Affect Your Marriage
As an adult, you could choose to share about your issues and marital problems with your spouse online, you could also decide to disclose your medical condition and whatever else you are comfortable with whether personal or not, with the world. You are an adult and you are old enough to make your own choices and live with its consequences -even though the consequences may sometimes rub off on your kids and others within your circle as well.
But when you actively and intentionally bring in your child and discuss their lives online giving total strangers a say in and over your child’s life to laugh at them, comment on their looks (opening them up to online bullying), or for them to tell you what to do with your children in some other instances. Are your or will your kids later in life be comfortable with it when they are of age?
Parents often forget while filming that kids do not remain kids forever. Though they are kids, as a matter of fact, your kids, they are individuals on their own and yes, though you gave them birth, publicizing their lives for financial gain amounts to hijacking their lives even before they get a chance to live it. They are not given a chance to tell their story the way they want it to be told. It’s already been told online on their behalf and they can never change the narrative or attempt to. It’s too late.
Dear parent, can you put yourself in your child’s shoes for a moment and imagine your own parents broadcasting all the silly and embarrassing moments of your life online for the world to see while making money off of it? Now that you are older how do you think that would have impacted your life? -be it at school, church, work or even your dating life?
Social media has taken over and it sure seems to have always been a part of our lives but that’s not true. Children born during those times when social media was beginning to become a phenomenon and child monetization a thing, will soon begin to come out to speak on how this has impacted their lives and start to advocate for themselves and others- because the negative impact is real.
When children are slightly older, often the narratives get increasingly personal; for example, detailing trouble with bullies, first periods, doctor’s visits, and mental health issues won’t be cute when they are old enough trying to navigate their lives in this world only to be held back or bullied by what you the parent that ought to protect the child has forever entangled them into.
We all know the permanence of whatever you post online. And even if you somehow manage to scrap it entirely from the internet, do not forget videos are downloadable and if it’s something you shared online in written form, it is also “screen grabbable”. This means someone somewhere would most likely have a copy of what you’ve shared. The permanence of the internet basically means that these digital records can follow your children into adulthood, impacting their personal and professional lives.
It’s all fun, games and money making till what you posted online is used as a blackmail against your child later in life. Would you want your child to suffer because of your parental choices in this way?
Sharenting : What do I do now?
Navigating the Complexities
You must strike a delicate balance between sharing meaningful moments and respecting your child’s/children’s privacy. Here are some considerations for responsible sharenting:
Consent
As your children grow older, involve them in decisions about what to share online. Teach them about privacy, consent, and the implications of sharing personal information.
Privacy Settings
Utilize privacy settings on social media platforms to control who can access the content you share. Limit the audience to trusted close friends and family members.
Selective Sharing
Be discerning about the content you post. Avoid sharing sensitive information, such as birthdates, school names, or other identifying details.
Digital Legacy
Consider the long-term implications of your online posts. Will the content be something your child would appreciate or resent in the future?
Open Dialogue
Maintain an open and ongoing dialogue with your children about their online presence. Encourage them to share their thoughts and concerns with you.
Take away
| Children’s digital footprints are established at a young age, often without their consent or understanding of the potential consequences. Personal information shared online could be accessed by malicious actors, compromising your child’s safety and security.
| Sharenting is a complex and evolving aspect of modern parenting, influenced by both the benefits and pitfalls of the digital age. As you navigate the intricacies of sharing your children’s lives online, it is crucial to prioritize privacy, consent, and the potential impact on your child’s future. By approaching sharenting with thoughtfulness and consideration, you can create a digital legacy that your children will appreciate and respect in the years to come.
Food For Thought
Before you post that next video ask your self : In light of the future of my child, is this necessary, is this kind? Would she/ he like it when she/ he grows up? Would my child hate me for this?
Related: Avoiding Parental Burn Outs
