A blend of the words ‘sharing’ and ‘parenting’, sharenting is now a heated topic of discussion. Sharing photos or videos of your kids through online platforms has become so mundane that parents often forget about possible risks involved. Read on to know more about what is sharenting and how it can be done responsibly.
For a parent, nothing
can be more gratifying than recording and sharing every milestone of
their little one. Most of the time, it starts right from the womb. And, this is
where you get introduced to the concept of "Sharenting", also dubbed as
sharenting syndrome.
Definition of Sharenting
So, what is sharenting
exactly? It is the practice of parents or caregivers sharing
information about their children online. Although the term was coined around
2010, it had been practiced even before through journals, diaries, photographs
and so on. This has since gone online.
What are some reasons for sharenting?
One of the main reasons
is to express the joys of being a parent, especially during major milestones. Moreover,
the goal of parents is to update family and friends. Caregivers can also
seek parental advice from those in similar situations.
What are some sharenting examples?
Posting Photos or videos of kids
It can be anything from a single post, a reel on Instagram, a FB photo, or a WhatsApp video.
Creating online profiles for kids
Many parents create online profiles for their children and use them to share their content.
Creating vlogs or online diaries
YouTube videos and
vlogs are other examples. For many vloggers who overshare each
and every small detail regarding their children, sharenting syndrome is at its
worst.
Are there benefits of sharing kids' lives?
 |
| Sharing your Kid's lives can be dangerous too! |
Just like the two
sides of a coin, there are both benefits as well as risks associated with
sharenting. In some cases, sharenting examples can bring about positive change.
1.
Sharing memories
The best part of
sharenting is that it helps you share your child’s best moments with family and
friends. This helps keep everyone not just in touch with you but also updated about your
life.
2.
Feeling connected
Such shared content can
help parents bond with others in similar situations.
3.
Form communities
This is particularly true in the case of sharenting, videos creating awareness regarding something. In many such cases, celebrities or common people have come forward to form communities for funding or to support the concerned parent and child.
4.
A sense of identity
Parents and children feel
more connected to others in similar situations through such content. It can, therefore, help the concerned child form a sense of identity and value.
Parenting Well in a Media Age - $3.50
from: RedShelf
So, where exactly do
you cross the line between sharing and oversharing? What are some dangers of
Sharenting?
Common dangers of sharenting
Social media is a vast
space. That is why you need to be wary of the content you put in there,
especially if it is related to your children.
1. Digital fingerprint from a young age
Having pictures posted
on social media from a very young age means getting an early digital
fingerprint without any consent.
2.
No privacy
Being on social media
from a very young age means kids lose their privacy too. The content might
include details, including personal information.
3.
Identity theft
Anyone can access your
content. There have been cases where photos of minors have been obtained by
others, who later pose as the child or the parent. They may also use the photos
to get other personal details or to bully the child.
4. Child pornography
Another peril of
sharenting is that anybody can access these photos and use them against the
children. It could be morphed and used in child porn sites.
Therefore, it becomes imperative for parents to adhere to certain guidelines to preserve the safety of their children. Read on to know the important tips before you share your kid's information online.
Mindful sharenting tips for parents
Ask yourself if it is necessary
First, you need to be clear why you are sharing it. Are you sharing this particular video/photo to keep your family members updated with something related to your child? Or is it just to express how proud are you of your little one?
2. Keep it within your trusted circle
Next, think about who all you want to share it with. Yet if you want to continue sharenting, keep it in your family and friends on whom you can trust.
3. Avoid sharing content with sensitive information
Check if the content you share has personal details like your name, location, and so on. If so, don’t share it.
4. Delete any irrelevant/ inappropriate pictures
The content that you share online is there to stay. Go through all your sharented content and delete those that you feel are unnecessary or embarrassing. Avoid sharing nude pictures of your kid, for it might create unwanted attention.
5. Finally, ask the child
They may be just young kids, but are still individuals who deserve some privacy. Kids are neither asked nor are they aware of such content. As parents, we should stop seeing them as parts of ourselves. Involve them in the process. Besides, doing so will only earn you some respect.
Sharenting
can never be 100% safe. But a little caution and consideration can go a long way
in making it more enjoyable and secure.
Sources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRPUZ3pufAg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharenting
https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-care/sharenting
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.