To post or not to post? That is the question. This week we're diving into the controversial dilemma of parents sharing their little ones on social media. Is it an adorable way to keep loved ones in the loop, or a potential Pandora's box of serious privacy concerns?

The Pulse Results (44 Votes) 📈

Side A 22.73% - Sharing moments of children’s lives on social media helps keep relatives and friends connected, it’s harmless

Side B 77.27% - Parents should consider the potential long-term effects and impact on their child’s digital footprint and reframe from over-sharing

^{Poll closed: August 14, 2023}

Posting photos of your children on social media? Experts warn there may be consequences

Published on: June 8, 2022
Published by: CTV News 

Parenting these days is totally different from how it used to be when our folks were raising us. The introduction of the internet and social media brought us awesome parenting resources like YouTube vids, forums, and life hack videos. Things are definitely easier in some ways now.

The internet has also led us into uncharted waters. For the first time in history, parents are raising little ones while navigating the world of social media. People are sharing their little cuties' journeys from first steps to high school graduation and everything in between. Sometimes, it feels like our social media accounts are a shrine to our adorable munchkins.

But Is 'sharenting' putting our little ones at risk? This practice, where parents share sensitive content about their young children online without their consent or understanding, is raising concerns about the potential long-term effects on their digital footprint. Some argue that sharing these moments helps keep loved ones and friends connected, but others believe that parents should consider the risks involved.

Studies estimate that by 2030, "sharenting" could contribute to two-thirds of identity fraud cases involving young people. Uhm…Yikes! That's a statistic we definitely can't ignore.

So, do you think 'sharenting' is harmless fun or a potential danger to children's privacy and security?

The Debate Showdown

Side A: Sharing moments of children's lives on social media helps keep relatives and friends connected, it’s harmless

• Posting photos and videos of children on social media allows distant relatives and friends to stay connected and involved in the child's life, especially when they are unable to physically be present. By sharing special moments, parents can easily update their loved ones on their child's milestones, achievements, and experiences. 50 years ago, families could’ve only dreamt of having access to technology like this.

• Social media is a great way to make connections for children. Some of the most talented people you know were discovered thanks to social media (Look at Justin Bieber, he was discovered thanks to YouTube). Social media can be used for good to further your child’s life goals.

• Social media is just a normal part of life now. Social platforms exist for a reason and we may as well use them for the positive aspects. We can’t fear and shy away from every new thing we don’t fully understand.

Side B: Parents should consider the potential long-term effects and impact on their child's digital footprint and reframe from over-sharing

• Children should have the right to control their online presence and consent to how their personal information is shared, which is often not possible when parents post without their knowledge or understanding. By posting without thoughtful consideration for the child's consent and privacy, parents may inadvertently create a digital footprint that the child may not want or appreciate in the future, preventing them from shaping their own online presence.

• Posting photos and videos of children on social media can potentially expose them to privacy and security risks, such as identity theft, hacking, and facial recognition tracking. Is all that risk really worth it just to get some likes on a photo?

• Content shared on social media can have long-lasting consequences for a child's future, including their reputation, employment prospects, and personal relationships. Imagine your child’s future employer or spouse finding an old video of them doing or saying something embarrassing?

Previous Debate

The Pulse Results (49 Votes) 📈

Side A 57.14% - Parents should charge their adult children rent, it teaches them responsibility

Side B 42.86% - Children are your children regardless of age, they are not your tenants to charge

^{Poll closed: August 2, 2023}

Want to dive deeper?

• Posting photos of your children on social media? Experts warn there may be consequences - CTV News

• The do’s and don’ts of posting photos of your kid on social media - The Washington Post

• Does sharing photos of your children on Facebook put them at risk? - The Guardian

• Why I Stopped Posting Photos of My Kid on Social Media - Time Magazine

• What to know before posting a photo of your kids on social media - Vox

• Posting About Your Kids Online Could Damage Their Futures - Forbes

• The dos and don’ts of posting about your kid online - CNN

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