Documenting and sharing life’s special memories is not what used to be given the social media influence. Indeed, for parents, it cannot be questioned that the desire to photograph and share in various social networks the main moments of their children’s lives – from the first months of their lives to birthdays – simply cannot be overcome. It all in all has been embraced and standardised, thus it is widely referred to as “sharenting.” But every lovely picture and every funny video is at the same time the duty to preserve a child’s privacy in the huge Internet world.
According to CG’s blog post, smart sharenting is defined as the careful and equal sharing of happiness with friends and relatives while being careful with the child’s data. It is more about how often to take a picture to capture moments but also about how to ensure you do not end up sharing pictures with your kid when he or she will grow up and feel violated.
The Potential Pitfalls of Sharenting
While sharenting can be a way to connect with family and friends, there are potential risks to consider:
- Privacy Concerns: This is because children and particularly the young ones cannot consent to having their pictures or any other information they input on the internet. Over time they are likely to lose control over their created ID hence exposing themselves to erstwhile forbidden areas.
- Safety Risks: Geolocations, specific timetables and even recognizable logos of schools, posts, with which children can be identified, can expose them to abuse, intimidation or ‘stranger danger’.
- Digital Reputation: Shameful childhood images or videos can be brought up in the future when the child is in school or a job interview.
Navigating the Challenge: Tips for Smart Sharenting
But that just leads me to the question, how does one stay safe in the world of sharenting? Here are some key points to consider:
- Get Consent (When Possible): Although your child needs to be guided on what clothing is appropriate for them to wear, as they grow older make them part of the decision making process. Use them in pictures or stories on the web only if they are okay with that and if they do not want something published, do not publish it.
- Think Before You Post: It is worth thinking for a moment about what could happen if you share this particular post. Ask yourself: Just as the data protection principles, the focus here is to ask the question; would I be comfortable if information like this was disclosed about me?
- Focus on the Moment, Not the Likes: Parents should not be motivated to be posting pictures of their children by the desire to have the posts validated. Don’t aim at gaining followers and likes, instead focus on capturing the real moments.
- Privacy Settings Matter: Scan through your social media profiles and change your privacy preferences so that only close friends have access to your child’s details.
- Limit Geolocation and Details: Do not disclose information such as your child’s school name, your home address, and specific location hashtags.
- Consider Alternatives: That being said, there are techniques on how to capture your child’s moments without violation of his privacy right. Make a small online gallery for the relatives, using printed photographs or choose offline ways such as writing a diary or using a scrapbook.
Beyond Privacy: Exploring the Positive Side
Sharenting isn’t completely problematic. For families who are distant and separated by a geographical location, it can make the feel of being related feel closer. It can also act as a record and documentation of your child’s progression and, therefore, a narrative you can share and review in the distant future.
Sharenting with a Purpose
Smart sharenting is not just about sharing pictures. It therefore becomes a chance to guide your child in establishing a positive online presence. Tell stories that are likely to inspire their interests, abilities, and company’s values. Support social causes or put forward the concerns dear to your family.
Continuous Conversation
The overall sharenting process is a trajectory: it is not a one-step process, but a multiple-step activity. What is also important to realise is that, as your child progresses through early years, their perception of the online environment also changes, as should your attitude to sharenting. Be as permissive as possible, talk to your child about the dangers of the internet, and ultimately provide them with the tools to make their own decision as they set up their own profiles online.
Thus, with the help of smart practices and focusing on your child’s privacy, you can easily transform sharenting into the best and – most importantly – safe and useful experience for your entire family.
