Is it safe to create a social media account with my child's name?

It is better to avoid this. Using their name early can give them an online presence before they even understand what it means.

What to do if relatives post my baby without asking me?

Have a calm, direct talk and explain the type of photos you are comfortable with. Set clear rules and ask them to check with you before sharing anything.

Should You Post Your Baby Online? The Ethics of Sharenting

Sharing your baby’s life online feels almost natural because every sweet moment calls out for a photo. Most parents do it to stay connected with family and friends, and it often feels like a harmless way to record their child’s early years.

What Is Sharenting?

Sharenting is when you, as a parent, post about your child on social media or other online platforms. This could be a cute photo of your baby’s first smile, a video of their first steps, or even a story about something funny they did. The term was coined in the early 2010s and officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2022. It’s a big deal because so many parents do it.

Studies show 56 per cent of parents share information about their kids online, with many also posting photos. Some even start before the baby is born, sharing ultrasound images. For many, it’s a way to keep loved ones updated or save memories, but it’s worth pausing to think about what this means for your child.

Why Do Parents Share Their Baby’s Pictures Online?

You might be posting those cute baby pics for all sorts of heartfelt reasons, and that’s totally understandable. Here’s why many parents share:

Connecting with loved ones: Posting photos or updates is a quick way to let family and friends feel involved in your child’s life.
Saving memories: Social media can feel like a digital scrapbook, a place to store those precious moments.
Celebrating milestones: Whether it’s your baby’s first tooth or their first day at school, sharing feels like a way to shout out the joy.

What are the Risks of Sharenting

Before you hit “post,” take a look at the potential downsides. These are the key risks to know about:

Privacy concerns: Your child has a right to privacy, even if they’re too young to say so. Posting embarrassing or personal details might upset them later.
Digital kidnapping: This is when strangers take your child’s photos, give them a new name, and create fake stories or profiles. Some accounts are harmless, run by teens, but others might use the images for harmful or abusive storylines.
Online predators: Photos you think are innocent, like your child in a swimsuit, could be misused by predators. There are thousands of active online predators daily, and inappropriate images of kids are found online every day.
Digital identity: Every post adds to your child’s digital footprint, which they can’t always control later. This could impact how others see them, from future employers to friends, and they might not be able to erase it.
Impact on well-being: Sharing humiliating or overly personal content could hurt your child’s self-esteem. Some experts even suggest extreme sharenting (like by influencers) could be seen as a form of child abuse. It can also blur a child’s understanding of what’s private versus public.
Strained relationships: If your child feels you’ve shared too much, they might lose trust in you.

How Do Kids Feel About Sharenting?

Even very young kids like to feel in control of their own lives. When you share their photos or stories online, it can change how they see themselves. They may be small, but they still have feelings about what goes up on your page. For example, a four-year-old might not want a photo of them crying posted. These things matter to them more than you think.

Tips for Safe Sharenting

If you still want to share moments online, you can do it in a safer way. These small steps help protect your child:

Check privacy settings: Use the strictest privacy settings on platforms to limit who sees your posts. Be aware that some platforms reserve the right to use your photos, so read their policies.
Curate your audience: Only share with people you know and trust. Regularly check your follower or friend list to make sure it’s secure.
Share anonymously: If possible, post without showing your child’s face or identifying details to reduce risks.
Avoid location tags: Avoid posting where your child is. Places like schools or parks should stay private.
Involve your child: Once they’re old enough (around 9 or 10), let them have a say in what you post. Ask if they’re okay with a photo or story being shared.
Skip sensitive photos: Avoid posting pictures of your child in underwear, swimsuits, or suggestive poses, even if you think they’re cute. These can be misused.

Sharenting is a big part of modern parenting, but it’s not something to do without thinking. Your child’s privacy, safety, and future are worth considering before you post that next photo.

Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.

FAQs on Should You Post Your Baby Online? The Ethics of Sharenting

Is it safe to create a social media account with my child's name?
It is better to avoid this. Using their name early can give them an online presence before they even understand what it means.
What to do if relatives post my baby without asking me?
Have a calm, direct talk and explain the type of photos you are comfortable with. Set clear rules and ask them to check with you before sharing anything.