Are You Posting Photos Of Your Kids On Social Media?

For most of us, social media has functioned as a 'digital diary' or an 'online scrapbook,' filled with meaningful vignettes and collage of memories–I would say both mundane and magical.

And for most parents, particularly first-time moms and dads, a collection of videos and photographs would often reign their social media pages: an evolving documentation from the moment they learn of the life-altering dual marks on a strip, to the revelation of its gender, and finally being able to pose in the very first family photo in the delivery room. This would continue to its first birthday shoot, first day at school, first stage performance, and the list could go on and on.

I am no exception.

I have been religiously posting my kids’ photos, milestones, and achievements online like most of you. And there’s a term for this—sharenting.

What is Sharenting?

According to one of the global leaders in cybersecurity solutions and services, sharenting is “the practice of parents sharing photos of their children online. Usually, images are shared on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, and capture quotidian moments in children’s lives, such as first steps, trips to the zoo, school performances, and holiday."

It adds, "This can be a great resource for parenting and gives first-time parents a sense of camaraderie during a time when they may feel like they have no idea what they are doing. Similarly, for parents who live far away from other family members and friends, sharing photos of their kids online offers a way to involve these important people in their children’s lives. However, when parents share images that contain personal details about the child, or details that could be embarrassing for the children as they become older, ‘oversharenting’ can become a problem.”

For parents beaming with pride or probably just fond of documenting their daily grind, truth is, I could relate to their urge of posting their kids' cute poses and sheepish smiles. In fact, Pamela B. Rutledge, PhD, Director at Media Psychology Research Center, actually thinks this is normal. She says, “Sharing can also be a way of normalizing one’s experience as a parent—feeling like you are doing things the right way; reaffirming your identity as a parent.”

So when does it become oversharenting? Because I hear you, for every picture posted online, there are a hundred more shots that did not make it to the feed. And the current generation of parents who are raising their kids in a digital era, this is something that we did not grow up with. There’s no roadmap on how to raise kids with things that are mostly online.

Back in the day, this scenario would have been simply similar to our parents sharing the photo albums, baby pictures, and asking us to sing or dance in front of our relatives and visitors. It’s just entirely different now, because the world is now literally the stage.

Sharenting dangers

According to an online article, “Sharenting: What parents should consider before posting their children’s photos online,” below are the dangers of sharenting:

• The pervasiveness of social media.
• The permanence of digital content and the internet.
• Potential embarrassment as the child grows.
• Identity theft from information in the shared information.

Factors to consider before posting your kids’ photos online

Based on the sharenting dangers mentioned above, we’ve broken it down and consolidated a list of factors to consider before posting your kids’ photos online.

1. Safety and Security Concerns

Once photos are posted online—they remain online, they become part of your child's digital footprint. These images can be shared, copied, or saved by others, making it difficult to control whose phone gallery they end up. This means that there’s always a chance that your photos could be viewed by people you don’t know, which could lead to unwanted attention.

2. Cyberbullying and identity theft

Photos of children can sometimes be used inappropriately and be subject to ridicule, teasing and bullying, either online or offline. At the same time, photos can also be used to commit identity theft to extort money, to sell to pedophiles, or other forms of online exploitation. Sharing too much information about your child (like their full name, birthdate, or location) can also make them a target for identity theft.

3. Obtaining consent to respect your child's individuality

Consider the future impact on children. What seems cute or harmless now might be embarrassing or uncomfortable for them later. Hence, if your child is old enough, typically age 5 and up, ask for their permission before sharing their photos. This teaches them about consent and respect to personal boundaries. As a parent, it is vital to respect your child's autonomy about these things.

4. Account and Privacy Settings

Consider and double check privacy settings. Make sure your social media profiles are set to private so only trusted friends and family can see your posts. Regularly review these settings, as platform policies can change. Some social media sites have rights over the photos you post, which means they could use your images in ways you didn’t intend.

'If your post includes other children, make sure you have the consent of their parents or guardians before sharing, especially when it's shared publicly or when anyone has access to that post.'

There are also instances where smartphones embed location data in photos. If this data is not removed, it can reveal your child's whereabouts, potentially putting them at risk.

5. Impact on Other Children

If your post includes other children, make sure you have the consent of their parents or guardians before sharing, especially when it’s shared publicly or when anyone has access to that post. Not everyone is comfortable with their child's image being shared online.

6. Contextual Sensitivity

Consider the context in which the photo was taken. Pictures taken in private settings or moments that are particularly personal might be better kept within your family.

Want to stay close with your kids in a digital age? Here's how.