Storytelling is one of the oldest and most important art forms known to man. When we look at the evolution of storytelling, it is both fascinating and exciting for what the future of communication and connection holds.
Instagram carousels are the modern-day cave paintings. Digital storytelling is influencing the minds of the 21st century and it has become an irreplaceable mode of telling stories anywhere and at any time.
Today, with a smartphone in hand, telling your story is easy and instant but some of us have (also) started creating stories for others, without much thought for its long-term implications and consequences.
Parents are now the producers of their child’s digital identity, and it may undercut their ability to tell their own story later. The phenomenon is commonly known as ‘sharenting’.
Admittedly I have shared and removed posts of my child over the years, making similar requests to family and friends, and going as far as to step out of a frame to respect, protect and curate her digital identity.
My decision has raised eyebrows and is often misunderstood but I am responsible for her digital footprint. As a storyteller, I am not against sharing pictures of my child online, however I am selective and discerning in what I choose to make public. The internet is not a private or a safe space.
Growing up in the 90s, milestones were captured on film, processed, and then placed in a traditional album. I may be a part of the last generation to have experienced a forgettable childhood, one that may be misplaced, tossed in the trash, or burned in a fire.
A childhood that can’t be traced online, backed up to the cloud, archived and available for download. But it is a childhood that we hold the storytelling rights to.
Today, a child’s digital identity is often born before them. Topics such as children’s digital footprint, privacy, consent, and digital rights bring fresh perspectives to the ongoing conversation about sharenting. There is a growing need to (over)share and be seen, particularly as a parent on the internet, with little consideration for the future.
If parents’ social media profiles are public, this wealth of information becomes accessible to anyone and may be susceptible to potential misuse. The internet is powered by media tools such as screenshots and cat memes after all.
In the event of a breach in a parents’ online accounts, the child’s information would also be exposed. While many perceive sharing as an innocent way to connect with a following deeply invested in cute life updates and heartwarming anecdotes, sharenting also exposes children to various risks that parents may not have initially considered.
Did you know, digital photographs contain a wealth of hidden data, including location, time, interests, and frequented places?
These are 5 potential pitfalls of ‘sharenting’
- Privacy and Safety
Sharing too much information about your child, such as their full name, date of birth, location, and daily routines, can pose a threat to their privacy and security. - Future embarrassment for the child
What seems cute or innocent to parents might be a source of embarrassment for their children later in life. - Online exploitation
Shared photos and information can be copied, saved, and used without the parents’ knowledge. These images might end up on websites, forums, or other platforms where they can be misused or exploited. - Impact on a child’s digital identity
Sharenting can create a digital identity for a child without their consent. As children grow up, they may want to have more control over their online presence. Sharenting takes away this choice. - Online profiling in the long run
The rise of data collection and analysis provides another compelling reason to avoid data over-sharing. Our information is constantly being collected and sold to advertisers. The more data you provide about your child, the easier it becomes for advertisers to target them before they’re old enough to make informed purchasing decisions.
Ultimately, the decision lies with every parent and guardian. Shooting on film may have made a comeback, but those images now find their way onto the internet.
Using social media as a tool allows us to feel connected and to create a narrative. Bearing in mind the negative, it is possible to enjoy the positive aspects of sharenting on social media, with some of the following in mind to safeguard children’s digital identity:
- Choose secure sharing methods.
- Limit who can see your posts.
- Turn off location services.
- Ask for consent from your child if they are old enough.
- Be Selective / Consider hiding your child’s face through techniques like taking photos from behind or adding emojis for protection.
- Enhance your online account security.
Sharenting. And they say parenting is hard enough.