Sharenting: The Dark Side Of Family Content Creation
What is Sharenting?
Sharenting, a term coined by Dr. Steiner-Adair in 2013, refers to parents sharing intimate moments and images of their children on social media. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 70% of parents share photos of their children online, with 1 in 5 doing so daily.
For many parents, sharenting fosters a sense of community and validation. However, does a toddler really need a personal page? I once came across a post where a baby’s caption read, “I love my mom so much.” The mother, who posted it herself, responded in the comments: “I love you too, baby.” It was unsettling. Who was she talking to? The child—or the audience?
The dangers of sharenting become even more apparent when parents fail to establish boundaries.
The Risks of Sharenting:
Economic Exploitation.
Sharenting has become a lucrative business, with many families earning substantial income from sponsorships and ads. However, this can easily turn into exploitation, where parents use children for content creation without consent or fair compensation. A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that 1 in 5 children featured in online content experience some form of financial exploitation.
Parental Abuse.
Sharenting can blur the line between parenting and performance, leading to cases where children are overworked, pressured, or even punished for not cooperating with content creation. A chilling example is the case of Ruby Franke, a family YouTube creator sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of aggravated child abuse. Her case raises urgent questions about children’s rights in the digital age.
Loss of Childhood.
A child constantly under the lens of a camera loses the freedom to simply exist. Instead of exploring life naturally, they are forced to perform, shaping their behavior based on how they will be perceived online. Sharenting robs them of innocence, pushing them into adulthood before they are ready.
Privacy Violations & Identity Theft.
When parents share personal details about their children online, they unknowingly expose them to identity theft, stalking, and even predatory behavior. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports that nearly half of the images found in child exploitation cases originated from parents’ social media posts.
Long-term Psychological Impact.
A child who grows up as a brand struggles to separate their real identity from their online persona. The lack of control over their narrative can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and resentment toward their parents. Furthermore, the pressure to maintain a curated, picture-perfect life can contribute to body dysmorphia and depression.
According to a study by the Royal Society for Public Health, 1 in 3 children experiences online harassment, often stemming from content shared by their own families.
The Digital Footprint Problem.
Sharenting creates a child’s digital footprint before they are old enough to understand its consequences. Their online presence—shaped by their parents—may not reflect who they eventually become, potentially affecting future opportunities, relationships, and employment.
Recommendations.
•Parents should be intentional about what they share, prioritizing their child’s privacy and well-being over likes and engagement.
•Children should not be turned into financial assets; if they contribute to content creation, they deserve a say and fair compensation.
•Social media platforms should implement stricter policies on sharing children’s content.
•Governments and regulatory bodies must establish legal protections to prevent digital exploitation of minors.
Conclusion.
Documenting a child’s growth is natural, but when a child’s life becomes an ongoing social media project, the lines between love and exploitation blur. Share responsibly. No amount of online validation or money is worth a child’s well-being. Their right to privacy, autonomy, and a normal childhood should always come first.
Article by Esther O. Ojo
