Sharenting refers to the act of parents habitually sharing information and media about their children on internet platforms. This practice raises complex issues regarding a child's digital footprint, privacy, and consent.
Sharenting is a portmanteau of 'sharing' and 'parenting' that describes the act of parents publicizing content about their children on internet platforms. This includes sharing photographs, anecdotes, videos, and other personal details on social media, blogs, and other digital forums.
Key Components
- Parental Sharing: The act is performed by a parent or legal guardian who documents and shares details of their child's life online.
- Digital Dissemination: Information is broadcast through social media networks, personal blogs, video-sharing sites, and other public or semi-public digital channels.
- Child-Centric Content: The subject of the shared media and information is a minor child, often from birth through adolescence.
- Digital Footprint Creation: The practice contributes to the creation of a significant and often permanent digital footprint for the child, without their direct consent.
Historical Context or Origin: The term emerged in the early 2010s, gaining prominence with the widespread adoption of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Why Sharenting Matters
Sharenting is a critical concept in the digital age because it establishes a child's digital footprint, often before they can understand or consent to it. This practice carries significant implications for a child's long-term privacy, security against data misuse or identity theft, and future autonomy. The data shared can be collected, analyzed, and used by third parties in unforeseen ways, potentially impacting a child's personal and professional life in the future.
Proactively managing a child's digital identity is essential for safeguarding their well-being. Platforms like Kinnect help families manage this by providing a private, secure environment to share memories and control a child's digital legacy, offering a deliberate alternative to public sharenting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an example of sharenting?
A: An example is a parent posting a photo of their child's first day of school on a public Instagram profile, including the child's full name, age, and school in the caption.
Q: What are the main risks of sharenting?
A: The primary risks include identity theft, creating a non-consensual digital footprint, cyberbullying, data scraping by AI models, and potential exposure to online predators or digital kidnapping.
Q: Is sharenting illegal?
A: Sharenting is generally not illegal, but it can intersect with privacy laws and data protection regulations, such as GDPR in Europe or COPPA in the U.S., depending on the context and jurisdiction.
