As a business foresight strategist, I spend a lot of time peering into the future, analysing trends and possibilities and their potential impacts.

One trend that’s troubled me for some time is the ease with which we share information online.

Don’t get me wrong, social media platforms have a lot to answer for in terms of data privacy and content moderation. But let’s be honest, they’re simply the carriers, the distributors of the content we create.

The real issue lies with us, the sharers.

This hits particularly close to home now – I recently became a grandparent 😊!

Every gurgle, giggle, and chubby-cheeked grin is a moment I long to share with the world. But I’m holding back, because I truly believe that the best future gift I can give them, is to keep my digital world vigilance for their safety and wellbeing as strong as my real-world vigilance for their safety and well-being.

Because when it comes to our children’s (and grandchildren’s!) online well-being, the best defence starts with us.

They deserve the right, the joy, and the ability to tell their own digital story when they’re ready, willing and able to.

Sharenting: A Double-Edged Sword in the Digital Age

We’ve all seen them: the endless feeds of adorable baby pictures, birthday party highlights, and school play snippets. Social media has become a digital scrapbook for parents, a place to celebrate milestones and connect with loved ones. But within this seemingly harmless trend lurks a potential privacy minefield: sharenting.

Sharenting Defined

Sharenting is the practice of adults sharing photos, videos and information of their children online, often on social media platforms.

It encompasses everything from those heart-melting newborn pictures to updates on their daily activities, school achievements, and even embarrassing moments.

The Allure of Sharenting

A 2019 study by McAfee found that a staggering 70% of children have a significant online presence by the age of two.

The appeal of sharenting is undeniable. It fosters a sense of connection with family and friends, allows us to document those precious memories for ourselves and future generations, and even creates a community of like-minded parents.

However, beneath the surface of connection lurks a web of potential consequences.

The Dark Side of Sharenting

1. Identity Theft: The World Economic Forum’s Global Coalition for Digital Safety warns that sharenting could be a major contributor to identity theft, with estimates suggesting it could be behind two-thirds of identity theft cases by 2030.The vast amount of personal information unwittingly shared online – birthdays, addresses, school names – creates a digital footprint for children, making them vulnerable to exploitation by criminals.
2. Privacy Concerns: Children have the right to privacy, just like adults. Sharenting often disregards this right, with parents documenting their children’s lives without their consent. As children grow older, they may feel embarrassed or even violated by the constant online exposure, especially when it comes to sensitive information or embarrassing moments.
3. Cyberbullying: The online world can be a cruel place, and children who are actively sharented may become targets for cyberbullying. Inappropriate comments, ridicule, and even the potential for memes based on childhood photos can have a lasting impact on a child’s self-esteem and well-being.
4. Future Implications: The internet never forgets. Those adorable baby pictures or silly childhood moments could resurface years later, potentially impacting a child’s future job prospects, educational opportunities, or even relationships.Imagine a teenager’s online antics being held against them when they apply for a prestigious university or a young professional facing disciplinary action at work due to an embarrassing childhood photo.

Case in Point: Beyond Likes and Shares

The consequences of sharenting are not merely theoretical.

In 2018, a French court ruled that a mother had violated her child’s privacy by posting photos of him online without his consent. France has since enacted strict laws against publicising private information about another person without their consent – including children, anyone caught doing it could spend up to a year in prison or be fined up to €45,000!

Another chilling example comes from the United States, where a couple lost custody of their child after social media posts documented neglectful behaviour, a stark reminder of the potential legal ramifications of oversharing online.

Striking a Balance: Protecting Our Children in a Digital World

Sharenting is a complex issue with no easy answers.

As technology continues to evolve and social media platforms become even more integrated into our lives, it’s crucial for parents to strike a balance between sharing and protecting their children’s privacy.

This doesn’t mean giving up on documenting those precious moments altogether. But it does mean doing so thoughtfully and responsibly.

A Guide for Digital Age Parents

1. Privacy First: Before hitting “share,” consider your child’s privacy. Get their consent, especially as they get older.
2. Think Before You Post: Ask yourself, “Would I share this if it were me?” Avoid embarrassing moments, sensitive information, and anything that could be used for cyberbullying.
3. Consider the Future: Think about the long-term implications of your posts. Would this information negatively impact your child in the future?
4. Privacy Settings: Utilise social media privacy settings to control who sees your child’s information.
5. Alternatives to Public Sharing: Consider private family groups or photo-sharing apps that offer more control over who sees your child’s content.
6. Open Communication: Talk to your children about online safety and the risks associated with sharenting

Empowering Parents, Protecting Children

By adopting a more conscious approach to sharenting, we can ensure that our online actions don’t inadvertently jeopardise our children’s future well-being, here are some additional tips for responsible digital parenting:

• Show and tell your children how to responsibly behave and live online – Many psychologists believe children begin forming their worldview between 15 and 18 months of age and by the age of 13 it’s almost entirely formed – so in these early impressionable years where your children are taking their cues from you what are you openly and inadvertently showing and telling them about how to responsibly engage online?
• Focus on the Experience, Not the Likes: social media thrives on engagement, but don’t let the pursuit of likes and comments dictate what you share. Focus on capturing memories for yourself and your family, not for online validation.
• Less is More: There’s no need to document and share every single aspect of your child’s life. Curate your posts and choose photos that celebrate positive moments without compromising privacy.
• Respect Their Boundaries: As your children grow older, respect their developing sense of self and privacy. Get their permission before posting photos or information about them and be mindful of their comfort level.
• Lead by Example: Talk to your children about online safety and digital citizenship. Show them how to be responsible online users themselves.
• Stay Informed: The digital landscape constantly changes. Stay informed about online safety trends and best practices for protecting children’s privacy.

Sharenting offers a way to connect and document precious moments, but it’s important to do so responsibly.

By prioritising our children’s privacy and adopting a more mindful approach to what we share online, we can ensure that the digital world remains a safe and positive space for them to grow and explore.

Let’s remember, the responsibility for our children’s formative online footprint ultimately lies with us, the parents (and grandparents😊).

Podcasts

Triple M’s Atlas Cook and I chat about all things Sharenting, in this week’s on-air catch up (3 minutes 58 seconds):Triple M’s Atlas Cook and I chat about all things Sharenting, in this week’s on-air catch up (3 minutes 58 seconds):

Hong Kong Radio 3’s Phil Whelan and I chat about all things Sharenting, in this week’s on-air catch up (15 minutes 29 seconds):

PS social media as we know and use it it now is almost defunct. The evolving online social world that is replacing it is far more capable of finding, harnessing and sharing information than ever before (but that’s another article for another day), which is even more reason for us to get our sharenting balance right!

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