Are you on board with Sharenting?

Are you on board with Sharenting?

 

You’ve just taken the single most amazing picture of your child that any parent has ever taken of their child. What’s your first instinct? Share it with your nearest and dearest on Instagram, of course!

But wait… does this make you a Sharent?

In our fast-paced digital-everything lifestyle, social media is as natural as breathing, or so it seems. And with this comes the urge to share everything with your social circle – hello, Sharents.

Sharents are many of us; proud parents who love sharing every delightful moment of their children’s lives with their online friends and followers.

Every day, Sharents embark on adventures armed with their Smartphones, capturing their children's first steps, soccer games, ballet recitals and birthday shenanigans. They post these cherished memories for everyone to see, earning hearts, likes and comments from far and wide.

Their feeds are filled with giggles, milestones, and the innocent wonder of childhood.

Sounds wonderful, right? But Sharenting comes with some challenges and pitfalls.

 

Who’s watching?

The saying goes, “The Internet is forever,” and everything you do online leaves a digital footprint. It is also unfortunate that we are now, in many ways, more exposed than ever.

Like with most things in life – sharenting is a bit of a mixed bag.

 

Thumbs up

  • Sharenting allows parents to connect with friends, family and even other parents. Sharing milestones, funny moments and parenting challenges can create a sense of community and support.
  • By documenting and sharing moments online, parents can create a digital scrapbook of their children's lives. These posts can serve as cherished memories that can be revisited in the future.
  • Some parents use their platforms to bring attention to important issues related to parenting, such as health concerns, developmental milestones or special needs. This can lead to greater awareness and support for these topics. Many awesome causes were instigated by a sharing parent!
  • Social media can be a great resource for parents looking for advice, tips and encouragement from others who have been through similar experiences.

 

Thumbs down

  • One of the biggest criticisms of sharenting is the potential invasion of your child's privacy. Posting photos and details about your child's life creates a digital footprint that they have no control over.
  • Children may not want their childhood moments documented online for the world to see when they grow up. These posts can follow them into adulthood, potentially impacting their social and professional lives.
  • Sharing too much information online can expose children to risks such as identity theft, cyberbullying or unwanted attention from strangers.
  • Young children cannot give informed consent to have their photos and information shared online. Parents must balance their desire to share with the responsibility to protect their child's autonomy and future privacy.

 

Ultimately, where you land as a “Sharent” is up to you as a parent. It’s worth taking note of the upsides AND knowing the potential pitfalls of sharing too much about your child on social media.

 

Good to know

According to Barclays, sharenting could account for two-thirds of identity fraud facing young people by 2030. This risk arises because personal details shared online can be pieced together by fraudsters to create fake identities.


Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.