Sharenting: The digital exposure that threatens our children

In our hyperconnected society, a phenomenon has emerged in recent years and has rapidly spread across social networks: the sharing. This term, a contraction of "share" and "parenting", refers to the practice of regularly posting information, photos and videos of one's children on the internet. What may seem like a harmless gesture of parental love actually hides many risks for the safety and development of children. Understanding these dangers and adopting good practices becomes essential to protect the youngest in the digital age.

The worrying scale of the phenomenon

Sharenting has become a practice extremely widespread around the world. According to various studies, more than 80% of children have a digital presence before the age of two, created by their parents. On average, a child appears in more than 1000 photos online before they are even old enough to use social networks. This early and non-consensual overexposure raises important ethical questions about the right to privacy children.

Parents' motivations are usually well-intentioned: sharing happy moments, staying in touch with distant family, or simply documenting important milestones in a child's development. Some parent influencers even go so far as to build a real family economy around the image of their children. However, few of them fully realize the potentially harmful consequences of this exposure.

The real dangers of sharenting

The first obvious risk is that of identity theft. Information shared online is a goldmine for cybercriminals such as:

• date of birth,
• full name,
• school attended,
• place of residence.

Studies show that over 60% of child identity theft cases are linked to information made available by the parents themselves.

There pedocriminality poses another serious threat. Photos of children, even the most innocent ones, can be hijacked and reused on malicious sites. Social media algorithms sometimes facilitate this redirection to malicious individuals. Cybersecurity researchers have discovered that photos of children taken in a family context were found on child sex abuse forums within 36 hours of being posted.

THE digital harassment is also a major risk. Children whose embarrassing or intimate moments have been shared may become the target of mockery at school or online. This content can resurface years later, particularly during adolescence, a period that is already complicated in terms of identity. This right to be forgotten is virtually non-existent once the content has been widely distributed.

Long-term psychological consequences

Beyond the immediate risks, sharenting can have psychological impacts lasting effects on children. As they grow older, they may feel a violation of their privacy and a loss of control over their public image. This feeling of helplessness can affect their self-confidence and their ability to set their own boundaries in future relationships.

Identity construction can also be disrupted. Children exposed to social networks at a very early age grow up with a prefabricated digital identity that they did not choose. They may have difficulty forming their own personality, distinct from the one presented online by their parents. This imposed digital footprint can create a disconnect between who they really are and how they are perceived.

Studies in child psychology also show that this constant exposure can lead to a performance pressure. Children quickly learn that certain behaviors generate more “likes” or positive comments, which can lead them to act to please rather than according to their true emotions. This dynamic can hinder the development of a emotional authenticity healthy.

The insufficient legal framework

Despite these proven risks, the legal framework surrounding sharenting remains largely insufficient. While laws like the GDPR in Europe theoretically offer protection for personal data, their application to the family context remains unclear. Children find themselves in a legal vacuum where their privacy rights are subordinated to parental authority.

However, several countries are beginning to address the issue. France, for example, recently strengthened the provisions concerning the digital consent, recalling that parents have a responsibility to protect their children's image. Some courts have even ruled in favor of children suing their parents for invasion of privacy.

This legal development reflects a gradual awareness, but the path to real protection remains long. The platforms themselves are slow to put in place effective mechanisms to control this type of content. The responsibility therefore rests mainly with parents, the first guardians of the digital security of their children.

Precautions and good practices to adopt

Faced with these risks, adopting an approach of responsible sharing becomes essential. The first golden rule is to drastically limit the amount of personal information shared.
Absolutely avoiding mentioning full names, precise dates of birth, addresses or schools attended is an important basic protection.

Management of privacy settings is also decisive. Favoring private groups or secure platforms rather than public publications allows you to better control who has access to the content. It is necessary to regularly check these settings, as they often change when the platforms are updated.

Ask for thechild's opinion as soon as he is old enough to express it represents a fundamentally respectful approach. From 6-7 years old, a child can already understand the implications of a photo shared online and should be able to exercise a right of inspection. This practice strengthens his autonomy and teaches him the importance of consent.

There quality over quantity should guide posts. Always asking yourself whether a photo or piece of information actually adds value before sharing it can help you filter effectively. Asking yourself the simple question, “Would I be comfortable if my own parents had shared this about me?” often provides insight.

Alternatives to traditional sharenting

Fortunately, some more secure alternatives exist to share precious moments without compromising children's safety. Private family sharing apps like FamilyAlbum, Tinybeans Or 23snaps offer controlled environments where only invited individuals can access content. These platforms typically have enhanced security features.

The creation ofphysical photo albums is also experiencing a resurgence of interest in the face of digital risks. These tangible media allow you to preserve precious memories without online exposure. Many services now offer easy printing of albums from digital photos.

Some parents also adopt the practice of "anonymous sharing", by sharing photos where the child is not identifiable (from behind, partially visible) or by using emojis to hide their face. This approach allows the parental experience to be shared while preserving the child's anonymity.

Towards a shared digital education

Beyond individual precautions, a real collective awareness is necessary. Schools are beginning to integrate awareness-raising about the risks of sharenting into their digital education programs, both for children and parents. These initiatives help to create a culture of respect for privacy from a young age.

Intergenerational dialogue around these issues also becomes essential. Grandparents and other family members, who are often big photo sharers, must be included in this reflection. Establishing clear family rules regarding the sharing of photos of children helps to harmonize practices within the entourage.

Pediatricians and child health professionals are also playing a growing role in raising awareness. Some are now incorporating recommendations on digital exposure into regular consultations, recognizing the potential impact on a child’s development and overall well-being.

Parenting in the digital age: finding a balance

Parenting in the age of social media presents a unique challenge that previous generations did not have to face. Finding thebalance between sharing and protection requires constant reflection and adaptation to rapid technological developments. This new dimension of parenting requires vigilance and continuous learning.

There moderation is probably the key word in this quest for balance. Celebrating important moments while respecting the child's digital integrity is a reasonable goal. Some parents, for example, choose to limit publications to a few special occasions per year, thereby considerably reducing their children's digital footprint.

Parental example also plays a key role in shaping a child's future relationship with social media. By demonstrating a thoughtful and respectful approach to online sharing, parents lay the foundation for a responsible digital citizenship that their children can adopt in turn.

Shared responsibility for a safer digital future

Ultimately, the issue of sharenting invites us to fundamentally rethink our relationship with image and personal data in the digital age. What is at stake goes far beyond simple family photos: it is about respect for identity under construction future generations.

Parents, platforms, legislators and civil society bear a collective responsibility to create a safer and more respectful digital environment for children. Each actor has a role to play to ensure that technology remains at the service of family well-being rather than a potential source of harm.

The first generation of children massively exposed to social networks is now reaching the age where they can express themselves on this experience. Their emerging testimonies constitute valuable lessons for refining our practices and building a culture of digital consent more robust for the future.