Parents post about their kids online without the intention to ignite malice or cause harm. Sharing facts about the children on the internet could only be spurned by enthusiasm and pride from the moms and dads. But what if they share photos, videos and anecdotes on social media that their children might be embarrassed to find when they are older?
Parents always remind their children to be careful on what they do on the internet because their digital footprint will remain there forever. But ironically, it is the parents who are the first to create their children's online profile by sharing the kids' photos, videos and anecdotes on social media — even before the children can articulate and tell their parents to stop what they are doing. So, what's the best approach for parents to follow when it comes to posting about kids online?
According to the Wall Street Journal, by the time a child reaches 5-years-old, his parents have already shared 1,000 photos of him on the internet. For some, it's about the connection between friends and families. For others who also share to strangers in groups or forum, it is about support and community building. It is about empathizing with other parents who share the same enthusiasm or frustration about parenthood.
But a study from experts at the University of Washington reveals that most parents have not considered the reach and lasting impact of a digital content. Social media is still developing and accelerating at this point, but it has also been around long enough for parents to bombard the platforms with photos, videos and anecdotes of the children.
The French police thinks sharing photos of kids online is unsafe. It also might be unfair. https://t.co/GGFww1Sx6U
— NYT Styles (@NYTStyles) April 26, 2016
In the same study, kids expressed that they would rather not have their parents share facets about them. They also expressed that if this is unavoidable, they would want their parents to ask them about it first. Experts agree that letting the kids have digital control over their profile is the best approach, as supported by another study, according to Eurekalert.
But what about babies who are unaware of what their parents are sharing? The best approach would be to resist posting what could potentially become embarrassing for the children when they are older. Parents has enumerated some of these to include photos or videos of bath time, sickness or injuries, potty-training and other shaming anecdotes that might look amusing today but damaging to the child in the future.
