The Sharenting Controversy: Balancing Parental Pressure Against Children's Digital Privacy
The practice of 'sharenting' – parents sharing photographs of their children on social media platforms – has sparked intense debate among experts and families alike. While some argue that parents face immense social pressure to post such content, others emphasise the well-documented risks to children's privacy and psychological wellbeing.
Understanding Parental Pressures in the Digital Age
Dr Claire Bessant, an associate professor at Northumbria Law School, highlights that many parents feel compelled by family and friends to share images of their children online. Academic research reveals that parents often struggle to balance concerns about protecting their offspring's digital footprint with desires to showcase family pride and meet relational demands.
Furthermore, the rise of influencer culture has introduced financial incentives, with some parents monetising sharenting content. Dr Bessant notes that pressures to ensure children succeed, expectations for physical parental presence, and unsupportive workplace environments can drive parents toward becoming online influencers. Once entangled in this ecosystem, escaping can prove challenging even when privacy concerns arise.
The Commercial Drivers Behind Sharenting Content
Social media platforms and collaborating brands have vested interests in encouraging regular posting of engaging content. Photographs featuring children typically attract wide audiences and effectively promote products, making them valuable assets in digital marketing strategies. The personal information shared by sharenting parents – and indeed by visitors to these platforms – constitutes precious data for tech companies.
Advocating for Education Over Criticism
Rather than blaming parents, Dr Bessant proposes focusing on educating families about potential consequences. She points to alternative platforms like Kin and Familink apps, which enable private photo-sharing within trusted circles, suggesting that promoting such options could mitigate risks without vilifying parents.
A Counterpoint: Recognising Inherent Harms to Children
In contrast, Rachel Linthe from Little Downham, Cambridgeshire, argues that the harms of sharenting are unequivocal. She references established rights to privacy under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Convention on Human Rights, questioning why society permits parents to expose children to platforms that may erode their self-esteem and psychological safety.
Linthe draws parallels with governmental explorations of banning young people from social media, suggesting that protecting children from being paraded online should be a natural companion measure. She contends that while early sharenters may have acted in ignorance, current awareness of digital risks necessitates an end to the practice.
Navigating the Path Forward
This debate underscores a complex intersection of social norms, commercial interests, and children's rights. Key considerations include:
- The need for greater public awareness about digital privacy implications for minors.
- Exploring regulatory frameworks that balance parental autonomy with child protection.
- Encouraging tech companies to develop and promote safer, private-sharing alternatives.
- Fostering societal discussions that move beyond blame toward constructive solutions.
As digital footprints become increasingly permanent, the conversation around sharenting will likely intensify, demanding nuanced approaches that support parents while safeguarding the youngest members of society.
