Using mobile devices as well as social media has almost become the norm today. People take pictures of themselves and then post the pictures on their social media profiles. However, this is not always harmless – especially when sensitive content (for example, of one’s own children) is shared on social media. In this case, the term „sharenting“ is used. This is a sometimes worrying trend in which parents take pictures of their children and then upload the images to the Internet.
In this way, sensitive content can already reach the wrong people – as a result, their own children can become the focus of sex offenders and are exposed to unnecessary danger. Sharenting“ is still a comparatively young phenomenon, but one that has come in for a lot of criticism. The following article is therefore intended to clarify „sharenting“ and its consequences. In addition, typical areas of use of the term „sharenting“ will be pointed out.
Definition of „sharenting“
Sharenting“ is an artificial word that originates from the Anglo-American world. It is composed of the two words „to share“ and „parenting“. Combined, „sharenting“ can therefore be roughly translated as „sharing with care“.
This admittedly rather incomprehensible translation means that parents often take photos of their children and then distribute them randomly on the Internet. So instead of just protecting them (i.e., „to parent“), they also take and share pictures of them (i.e., „to share“).
The dissemination of photos on the Internet is often for individual pleasure, but is also often intended to create social ties to like-minded people (for example, to other parents). Often, however, it is not such like-minded people who emerge as the main consumers of the images. And this is exactly where the danger of „sharenting“ lies, or rather why „sharenting“ is so strongly criticized.
Origin and meaning of „sharenting“
Sharenting“ is a recently discovered phenomenon whose name probably originated in the USA. The term developed as an artificial word from the two words „to share“ and „to parent“ and unmistakably refers to the wild photo craze of young parents, who are often very active on social media. „Sharenting“ therefore typically describes people who have a great affinity for social networks and a certain need for recognition – this often goes even further than their own person. In this context, the child is seen as an extension of the self and is put on display accordingly on social media – with potentially strong negative consequences for the child. Once posted online, images spread rapidly and usually cannot be removed (see the saying: „The web never forgets!“).
Use of „sharenting“
In the meantime, the term „sharenting“ is encountered quite frequently. However, the following areas have emerged as the main areas of use in recent months:
- Social media platforms
- Social psychology
- Everyday language
In the subsections that now follow, the above-mentioned main areas of use of „sharenting“ will be discussed in more detail.
Social media platforms
„Sharenting“ takes place primarily on social media platforms. The platforms Facebook, Instagram and TikTok are particularly popular for this purpose, on which private and sometimes very sensitive content is shared. This often involves baby photos or revealing photos of babies, which can then fall into the wrong hands. „Sharenting“ operates in an absolute gray area in Germany, as it does not observe the strict guidelines of the DSGVO – after all, babies or young children cannot be asked for their consent that their content may be shared on social networks. It was precisely on these platforms that the „sharenting“ phenomenon was also first discovered, before this gradually spilled over into other areas of life.
Social psychology
After „sharenting“ became known on social media, social psychology also became involved with this topic. The latter sees „sharenting“ as a worrying trend and classifies the topic as highly controversial. Although it is cute to post pictures of one’s own children, parents should always be concerned about the well-being of their little ones. Social psychology associates „sharenting“ with a need for recognition and even mild narcissism – after all, the well-being of the other person is sacrificed for the sake of one’s own prestige.
Everyday language
In the meantime, „sharenting“ has also arrived in spoken everyday language. It has therefore established itself as a fixed term in German usage and usually describes young parents who are very active on social media and tend to upload pictures or videos of their own children there. „Sharenting“ parents are sometimes heavily criticized in Germany. Last but not least, celebrities such as Oliver Pocher fueled the debate about the negative consequences of „sharenting.“
Social classification of „sharenting“
Although the term „sharenting“ is becoming more and more widespread, it is an expression that is primarily understood or used by younger generations. The main target group of „sharenting“ therefore usually includes people who are between 18 and 40 years old – and thus people who typically are or will become parents themselves. Older people often do not understand „sharenting“. In this case, there is also a lack of reference to the technology required for this – in this case, social media.
Critical view of „sharenting“
In this country, „sharenting“ is heavily criticized and is considered an extremely worrying trend. This is because the uncontrolled sharing of sensitive images of one’s own children on social media poses significant risks (such as pedophilia). Children’s privacy can be violated and they are unnecessarily exposed to potential dangers. The phenomenon of „sharenting“ has been intensively discussed and criticized in recent years. Social psychology also points to an excessive need for recognition and narcissistic approaches in „sharenting“. „Sharenting“ has entered everyday language and polarizes society, with prominent voices highlighting its negative effects.
Conclusion on „sharenting“ and naming of similar terms
In summary, „sharenting“ can be described as a new trend on social media, where especially young parents tend to upload pictures of videos of their children on social networks. This is neither compliant with the GDPR nor can it be considered safe, as the images and videos can quickly spread across the network, resulting in unnecessary risks and dangers.
In addition to „sharenting“, there are also the terms „parental oversharing“ and „digital kidnapping“. While „parental oversharing“ is the exaggerated form of „sharenting“ in which an excessive amount of content is shared, „digital kidnapping“ often even happens despite the children’s prior denial that photos or videos of them are being published.