🧩 What Is Sharenting? The Hidden Effects of Posting Your Kids Online and How to Protect Their Privacy
Sharenting—the practice of parents sharing photos or details about their children on social media—has become so common that many children already have a digital identity before they learn to speak. What began as a way to celebrate family moments now raises serious questions about privacy, consent, and online safety.
🌟 Key Takeaways
| 🔍 Key Fact | Quick Insight |
|---|---|
| Sharenting meaning | The act of parents posting photos, videos, or details about their children online. |
| By age 13, a child’s digital footprint may already include 1,300+ photos, according to Parent Zone UK. | |
| Main risks: Privacy exposure, online identity theft, and emotional impact on children. | |
| Legal updates: Countries like France and Austria now allow children to sue parents for excessive sharenting. | |
| Best practice: Ask for consent when possible, avoid identifiable details, and use private sharing apps. |
👶 What Is Sharenting?
Sharenting combines the words “sharing” and “parenting.” It refers to the practice of parents—especially mommy bloggers and social-media-active families—posting photos, stories, or personal details about their kids online.
The sharenting meaning goes beyond cute baby pictures: it’s about how digital exposure shapes a child’s online identity long before they can manage it themselves.
- Originated around 2012, as parenting moved from photo albums to Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
- By 2025, it’s estimated that 92% of toddlers already have a digital footprint created by their parents.
- Common platforms: Instagram Reels, TikTok family accounts, YouTube vlogs, and Facebook family albums.
📊 Timeline:
2010 — Early Facebook photo sharing
2015 — Rise of “mommy bloggers”
2020 — Family vlogging boom on YouTube
2025 — Governments begin regulating child privacy in social media
💭 Why Do Parents Engage in Sharenting?
Is It About Connection or Validation?
Parents often share because they feel proud or want connection and validation from their online communities.
Studies from Common Sense Media and University of Michigan show that parents post for emotional support, to exchange advice, or simply to celebrate milestones.
However, every post contributes to a permanent digital trail, even if the intent is innocent.
The Rise of the Mommy Blogger and Family Influencer Economy
The popularity of mommy bloggers and “family influencers” has made sharenting part of the creator economy.
Examples:
- The Ace Family (YouTube)
- 8 Passengers (parenting channel, later criticized for overexposure)
- Instagram “momfluencers” who monetize family life through brand deals
While these accounts create relatable content, they also blur the line between parental storytelling and children’s consent.
💡 Fact: Influencer Marketing Hub reported that “family content” was one of the top-earning categories on TikTok in 2024.
⚠️ What Are the Risks of Sharenting?
How Does Sharenting Affect Children’s Privacy and Safety?
Posting identifiable details—school names, uniforms, faces—can expose children to risks:
- Identity theft: Photos can be stolen and reused on fake profiles or even in AI-generated deepfakes.
- Data scraping: Public platforms feed information to algorithms and advertisers.
- Location tagging: Can reveal patterns about a child’s routines.
📌 Case in point: In France, a 15-year-old successfully demanded her parents remove hundreds of online photos under data-protection laws.
Can Sharenting Harm a Child’s Mental Health or Self-Image?
Children may later feel embarrassed, violated, or anxious when they discover what was shared without consent.
The American Psychological Association (APA) warns that early public exposure can affect a child’s self-esteem and trust.
By adolescence, many teens express frustration—“I didn’t want my baby pictures online.”
This creates digital-consent tension between parent and child.
🛡️ How to Practice Responsible Sharenting
What Rules Should Parents Follow Before Posting?
Before uploading that cute photo, ask yourself:
✅ Would my child be okay with this when they’re older?
✅ Does it reveal private or embarrassing information?
✅ Have I checked the account’s privacy settings?
✅ Could someone misuse this image?
Always prioritize your child’s right to privacy over likes or followers.
Tools and Apps for Safer Sharing
| Tool | Platform | Main Feature | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| TinyBeans | iOS / Android | Private family sharing | Free + Premium |
| FamilyAlbum | Web / App | Invite-only photo sharing | Free |
| Google Family Link | Android | Controls data access & sharing | Free |
| PhotoCircle | iOS / Android | Shared albums with invite links | Free |
Also review UNICEF’s Child Online Protection Guidelines (2024) for responsible digital parenting.
⚖️ How Are Governments and Platforms Responding?
Governments and platforms are recognizing sharenting as a privacy issue:
- EU GDPR and COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) give children digital rights.
- France’s Sharenting Bill (2023): allows minors to sue parents for misuse of personal images.
- California’s Kids’ Online Safety Act (2024): requires platforms to protect underage users.
- Meta and YouTube Kids have tightened algorithms to limit child-related exposure.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can my child sue me for sharenting?
In some European countries like France or Austria, yes—if the content harms their privacy or reputation.
2. What age should children give digital consent?
Experts suggest starting conversations around age 7–9, when kids become aware of online sharing.
3. Is it safe to post baby photos if my account is private?
Private is safer, but screenshots and leaks can still happen—use discretion.
4. How can I remove my child’s photos from the internet?
Request deletion through Google’s Remove Personal Images form and contact social platforms directly.
5. Are influencer children protected under labor laws?
France and some U.S. states now include child influencer protections similar to traditional child actors.
💡 Think Before You Post
Sharenting isn’t inherently bad—it can strengthen family bonds and document beautiful memories.
But as technology evolves, our children’s privacy becomes our shared responsibility.
Before posting, pause and ask:
“Is this my memory—or my child’s identity?”
Protect your child’s digital future starting today:
📲 Review your social accounts, adjust privacy settings, and explore private-sharing tools.
Because every post tells a story—and your child deserves to choose how theirs is told. ❤️
🕊️ Christian Mommy Bloggers
- The Faithful Help Meet
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Focuses on integrating faith into everyday parenting, offering devotionals and parenting tips. - Not Just a Stay-At-Home Mom
A platform that discusses the joys and challenges of motherhood through a Christian lens.
✝️ Mormon Mommy Bloggers
- Rach Parcell (Pink Peonies)
A fashion and lifestyle blog by a Mormon mom sharing her experiences and style. - Mindy McKnight (Cute Girls Hairstyles)
Offers hair tutorials and family content from a Mormon perspective. - Taylor Frankie Paul
Known for her candid posts about motherhood and her journey within the Mormon community.
🌟 Popular Mom Blogs
- Scary Mommy
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Offers personal essays and reflections on parenting and personal growth. - The Mommy Spot
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✊🏾 Black Mom Bloggers
- Mattie James
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🌺 Latina Mom Bloggers
- Latina Mom Bloggers
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A lifestyle and parenting blog by a Latina mom offering tips on family, travel, and wellness.