What is sharenting and why do parents need to be cautious of this digital trend

Parag Naik 31 welcomed a daughter into his life in 2020 In a conversation with Midday the Mumbaibased pharmacist opens up about oversharing images of his firstborn child ldquoI mean thatrsquos what firsttime parents do right I had tons of pictures of my child and I just couldnrsquot help but share everything about her on social mediardquoHe continues ldquoIt felt like I had to post every single milestone like it was everyonersquos business A year later the reality struck me that she was not even aware of her presence online Consequently I had to delete almost everything about her when I learnt of the risks that I was exposing her tordquoThe journey of parenthood starts with the inception of a child With the advent of social media a few parents have channelled this journey into sharing images and clips of their children online However if they were to do this in France ndash they would have to think twice The country wants to penalise lsquosharentingrsquo the practice of using social media to share news and images of children But why would the French government do thatIn todayrsquos world ndash a childrsquos image goes viral even before they have taken birth Be it a baby bump or an ultrasound scan ndash the content becomes an object of sharing for newgen parents One of the reasons why France wants to ban this practice is because itrsquos violative of a childrsquos privacy who cannot even consent to their images being shared on social mediaInstagram Facebook Twitter Tiktok ndash you name it and numerous accounts pop up that serve baby content on a daily basis But do babies really need their own social media handles websites emails and Google accounts Experts call it the sharenting syndrome To learn more about the perils of sharenting middaycom spoke to Dr Sonal Anand a psychiatrist working with Wockhardt HospitalsHow does sharenting impact the parentchild relationship in terms of trust and privacyAnand Sharenting the act of parents sharing their childrens photos and personal information on social media might hurt the parentchild relationship While it may seem harmless sharenting can have significant effects on trust and privacy within the family1 Children might feel a lack of control over their digital footprint and privacy as their childhood is documented and shared without their consent2 This can lead to feelings of betrayal and mistrust towards parents who prioritise online validation over respecting their childs boundaries3 Erosion of trust in the parental relationship may hinder open communication between parents and children ultimately impacting the development of a healthy sense of autonomy and boundariesAre there potential longterm effects on childrens development linked to the constant sharing of their lives onlineAnand The constant sharing of childrens lives online may lead to a heightened need for external validation as children grow accustomed to getting approval through likes and comments on social media platforms The pressure to present a prim and polished version of their lives online could impact their sense of selfworth and identity formationConstant scrutiny by the public and potential cyberbullying could also lead to increased anxiety and performance pressure as they navigate the complexities of adolescence Parents must consider the longterm developmental implications of sharing childrens lives online and strike a balance between digital presence and privacy protectionWhat role does online visibility play in shaping a childs selfesteem and sense of identityAnand Online visibility plays a crucial role in shaping a childs selfesteem and sense of identity With the rise of social media platforms children are constantly exposed to curated versions of other peoples lives leading to comparisons and increased pressure to conform to certain standards This can impact their selfworth as they strive for validation and acceptance from their online peersAdditionally getting badgered into specific ideologies beauty standards or values can lead to internalisation and adoption of these beliefs into their own identity The oversharing culture on social media can blur the lines between public and private life for children affecting how they perceive themselves and othersWhat are the potential dangers and risks associated with sharentingAnand One of the primary concerns is the violation of a childs privacy and their inability to consent to having their lives broadcasted online This can have longterm implications as children may feel exposed or embarrassed by the content shared by their parents without their knowledge1 Sharenting puts children at risk of being targeted by online predators or identity thieves who may misuse shared information for malicious purposes2 The seemingly innocent act of sharing a childs milestone moments or daily activities can inadvertently expose them to unwanted attention from strangers in the digital world3 Parents may not realise that once something is posted online it becomes permanent and can potentially affect a childs future reputation and opportunitiesAre there instances where sharenting could lead to unintended consequences for the childs safetyAnand Sharenting the act of parents sharing their childrens photos and personal information on social media could potentially lead to unintended consequences for the childs safety One significant risk is that these shared images and details might be used by malicious actors for identity theft or cyberbullyingOnce information is posted online it can be nearly impossible to completely erase it from the public domain As a result children may find themselves confronted with embarrassing or intrusive content about their past selves when they are older impacting their personal and professional livesIn what ways can parents use sharenting to set positive examples for their children in terms of responsible digital behaviourAnand The practice of sharenting can be used as a tool for parents to set positive examples for their children in terms of responsible digital behaviour By modelling thoughtful and respectful online sharing parents can demonstrate to their kids the importance of considering others privacy and consent This can involve seeking permission from older children before posting pictures of them or refraining from oversharing personal details that could compromise a childs safetyAlternatively parents can use sharenting as an opportunity to teach their children about digital literacy and critical thinking By openly discussing with their kids what is appropriate to share online and what should be kept private parents can help cultivate a healthy understanding of online boundaries and selfpresentationAre there positive aspects of sharenting that contribute to building a sense of community among parentsAnand Yes there are certain positive aspects to sharenting if done the right way Sharing tips and advice through sharenting is helpful for others The practice can create a platform for parents to celebrate their childrens milestones and accomplishments with a wider audience This virtual support network allows for empathy encouragement and solidarity among parents who may be facing similar challenges or joys in raising their children However caution must be adopted in the amount of information being shared to maintain cyber safety