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"Sharenting": Why You Should Think Twice Before Posting Your Kids Online

 We all love seeing photos of our friends' children. The first day of school, the messy birthday cake face, the bathtub photos. It feels like a digital scrapbook.

But in 2025, privacy experts are warning parents about "Sharenting"—oversharing parenting content—and the long-term risks it creates for children who are too young to consent.

The Risks You Might Not See

1. Identity Theft Starts Early When you post a "Happy 2nd Birthday!" photo with your child's full name and the location of their preschool, you are handing identity thieves the puzzle pieces they need. Banks and government agencies use names, birth dates, and mother's maiden names as security questions.

2. The "Forever" Digital Footprint Facial recognition technology is now standard. Photos you post today feed into databases that can track your child for the rest of their lives. A cute photo of a tantrum might seem funny now, but could it embarrass them when they apply for a job in 15 years?

How to Share Safely

You don't have to stop sharing completely. Just tweak how you share:

  • The "Emoji Face" Rule: Many influencers now put a sticker or emoji over their child's face in photos. It keeps the memory but protects the identity.

  • Private Groups: Instead of posting to 500 Facebook friends (half of whom you haven't seen in a decade), create a private WhatsApp or Signal group for close family.

  • Wait to Post: Don't post photos in real-time. Wait until you have left the park or the school before sharing the location.

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