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Sharenting, a blend of “sharing” and “parenting,” refers to the practice where parents share content about their children on social media platforms. While it fosters community and connection, it also raises concerns about privacy and consent. With social media becoming an integral part of modern parenting, it’s crucial to understand the latest statistics on this phenomenon.
Prevalence of Sharenting
A 2021 survey revealed that over 75% of parents share information about their children online, with more than 80% using their child’s real name in posts. Alarmingly, less than 25% of these parents seek their child’s permission before posting, and approximately 29% never ask at all. Additionally, close to 25% have public settings on their social media profiles, and 80% have friends or followers they’ve never met in person.(Security.org)
Platforms and Content Shared
Facebook is the most frequently used platform for sharenting, accounting for 54% of such activities, followed by Instagram at 16% and X (formerly Twitter) at 12%. Parents often share photographs (85%), videos (8.9%), and personal information about their children, including names and locations. (Source)
Motivations Behind Sharenting
Parents engage in sharenting for various reasons, as outlined in research on the latest sharenting statistics:
- Recognition and Visibility: A study found that 32.8% of parents post about their children to gain recognition and become known on social media.
- Sharing and Connection: The most common reason, cited by 52.5% of parents, is simply to share their children’s lives with others.
- Parental Pride: Research highlights that many parents feel immense pride in their children’s achievements and use social media to showcase them. A mother in one study stated, “I am proud of my child, and I want to show this to the whole world.” (Source). One study showed that 40% of sharenting is a manifestation of parental pride (Source).
- Updating Family and Friends: Some parents, particularly those with relatives living far away, use social media to keep loved ones updated on their child’s development (Source).
- Promoting Their Children: Some parents actively share images and stories to promote their children, possibly for future opportunities or branding.
- Mommy Influencer: In one survey, 3% of parents say they engage in sharenting to earn an income (Source).
Risks Associated with Sharenting
While sharing can have positive aspects, it also poses significant risks:
- Identity Theft: It is not just researchers that are sharing worrying sharenting statistics. Barclays Bank in the UK forecast that two-thirds of young people will be the victim of identity fraud because of sharenting. According to the bank, online sharing by parents will produce 7.4 million incidents of identity fraud by 2030 (Source). Additionally, in the US, a report showed that 14% of children have had their identities stolen (Source).
- Misuse of Images: In one study, 66% of parents believe that sharenting can cause negligence or abuse of children or can result in images of children being used on inappropriate sites (Source).
- Emotional Distress: Studies show that 39% of teenagers feel embarrassed or frustrated by their parents’ online posts about them, leading to family conflicts (Source).
Balancing Sharing and Privacy
How can parents enjoy social media without compromising their children’s privacy? The following highlights some best practices:
Mindful Sharenting: Some parents are beginning to take a critical and self-reflective approach to sharenting by carefully considering the content they share and their potential audience in order to protect their child’s privacy. To prevent misuse of their children’s images, parents are now choosing to:
- Limit their sharenting audience by sharing content only with close family and friends.
- Protect their children’s identity by not showing children’s faces and avoiding the use of real names or identifiable information.
- Selective Sharing by choosing to share objects that belong to the children rather than the children themselves. (Source)
Conclusion
Sharenting is an ever-growing trend, offering both benefits and challenges. While it enables connection and support, parents must carefully consider the risks, according to these latest sharenting statistics, and take steps to protect their children’s privacy. By adopting mindful sharenting practices, parents can ensure their children’s well-being while still sharing meaningful moments with loved ones.
What do you think of these latest sharenting statistics? Should parents be more cautious about sharenting, or is it just a part of modern parenting? Let us know in the comments!
